Federal Judge Rules Meta Hid Evidence in Australian Billionaire's Fake ad Case: "Gross Negligence"
The judge said Meta’s loss of data prejudiced Andrew Forrest’s case and could weaken the company’s Section 230 immunity defense.
- On Monday, a federal judge in California ruled against Meta for destroying evidence in a lawsuit brought by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest over scam ads using his likeness without permission.
- Forrest alleges Meta allows ads using his image to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, with his legal team arguing the company's artificial intelligence tools optimize these ads, making Meta an active participant rather than a mere intermediary.
- Judge Casey Pitts rejected Meta's claim that it needed two years to locate the data as "simply not credible," characterizing the company's failure to preserve records as "gross negligence."
- The ruling prevents Meta from using missing evidence as a shield, which Forrest said ensures the company cannot "outrun responsibility," and the court ordered Meta to pay Forrest's legal fees and costs.
- While Meta maintains it is protected by the Communications Decency Act, juries in Los Angeles and Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently found the company liable for harming minors, complicating its immunity defense.
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Meta can still try to get the case dismissed on the grounds that her immunity is still in force.
Billionaire Andrew Forrest scores win against Meta in scam ads case
A US Federal Court has ruled against the social media giant in an ongoing legal dispute with Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest, who is suing Meta over scam ads that feature his likeness without his permission.
Malay Mail
AlKhaleej Today‘Gross negligence’: US judge rules Meta hid evidence in Australian tycoon fake ad case
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 11 — A federal judge in California ruled against Meta yesterday for destroying evidence in a case brought by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest over scam ads using his likeness without permission.The mining tycoon has accused the social media giant of allowing ads using his image to promote bogus cryptocurrency investments, and said Meta actively modifies the ads it distributes and profits from them.That behavior makes them…
A California federal judge sanctioned Meta on Monday for destroying evidence in a case driven by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest. The lawsuit claims that Meta allowed fraudulent ads to use its image to promote false investments in cryptocurrencies. Establishing Meta's responsibility for the disappearance of such evidence is fundamental to the strategy of the renowned mining tycoon.
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