To mitigate the effects of scams on Indian users, Meta has recently removed around 23,000 accounts participating in fraudulent investment scams. These accounts were often fake accounts impersonating celebrities to entice investors to fall prey to fake scams. It is in line with a recently launched clampdown on fraud on the platform, with Facebook and its related companies reporting more than two million accounts belonging to organised scammers around the world. ​

Key Highlights:

• 23,000 scam accounts targeting Indian investors removed by Meta.
• Facial recognition technology deployed to detect celebrity impersonation scams.
• 'Scam se Bacho' campaign launched with Indian government to raise awareness.
• Over 2 million accounts linked to global scam centers dismantled.
• Enhanced safety tools introduced across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

For the detection purpose, Meta has once again brought back facial recognition that helps in detecting and banning the ‘celeb-bait’ scams. It promptly identifies distortions in ads and matches them with a database that contains pictures of public figures in order for appropriate action to be taken on the concerning content. Also, there is a method of video selfies that are already being tried by Meta to allow users to regain their hacked accounts safely. ​

In partnership with the Indian government, Meta introduced the ‘Scam se Bacho’ campaign to prevent people from falling victim to scams. The initiative has Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and is supported by videos in nine Indian languages for creating awareness and equipping users with tools to protect themselves. ​

Meta Rolls Out New Safety Tools to Shield Users from Scams Across Platforms

Meta has also updated safety features across its surfaces of operation. One of the changes seen on WhatsApp is the ability of users to decline calls from unknown numbers to get rid of scammers. Facebook Messenger has provided safety notices to warn users of any rising suspicious events, and Instagram has also developed such tests to safeguard young people. ​

All these efforts are commendable and show how Meta wants to protect its users, especially those in India, from the upsurge in cases of scams online. Thus, Meta’s focus on using new technologies and raising awareness is a way to make the online space safer for everyone.​