EU Consumers File DSA Complaints Against Google, Meta, TikTok Over Scam Ads

On May 21, EU consumer group BEUC and 29 members filed complaints against Google, Meta, and TikTok across 27 countries under the Digital Services Act, alleging the platforms failed to curb financial scam advertisements. BEUC, a Brussels-based consumer advocacy organization, reported that members identified nearly 900 suspect ads between December and March. Of these, only 27% were removed, while 52% were rejected or ignored. The Digital Services Act allows regulators to impose fines of up to 6% of a platform's global annual turnover for breaches.

Platform Responses

Google and Meta rejected the complaints. TikTok characterized scams as an industry-wide problem rather than a platform-specific issue.

Regulatory Context and Commission Actions

The complaints align with a broader EU regulatory push against digital fraud. The European Commission previously sent formal information requests to Apple, Booking.com, Google, and Microsoft regarding their handling of financial scam risks. The Commission is examining fraudulent apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play, as well as scam links and ads on Bing and Google Search.

Under the Digital Services Act, the EU is requiring voluntary codes of conduct for online advertising, with submission deadlines of February 18, 2025, and implementation by August 18, 2025. These codes aim to increase transparency in ad placement.

Scale of the Issue

Consumer groups estimate that scam ads remaining online may reach more than 200 million people across Europe each month, underscoring the scope of the problem.

Broader Industry Implications

The complaints add pressure across the online advertising market, potentially affecting companies beyond the largest platforms. Industry analysts suggest the lapses may accelerate calls for stricter identity verification across ad intermediaries, including smaller firms involved in ad placement and targeting. This could expand "Know Your Business Customer" (KYBC) requirements—which mandate companies verify business clients—throughout the entire advertising supply chain.