The Consumer Ombudsman has for some time negotiated with Facebook to make them take greater responsibility for removing and blocking spam and banner advertisements for fake brand-name goods.
Users of the social network will now be given the opportunity to hide future advertisements from traders they do not want such information from. Facebook has also developed better routines for removing misleading ads for fake brand-name goods and fraudulent web shops.
«We are pleased to see that Facebook implements these changes. Our point of view has for a long time been that the news feed must be considered as a direct marketing channel, parallel to e-mail and SMS. Thus, the principle of the consumer being in control of the advertisements he or she receives, applies to Facebook as well», says Nergård.
Hoping for less scams
Nergård is also satisfied with Facebook taking greater responsibility to stop misleading ads for fake brand-name goods and unreliable web shops.
«Our impression is that the changes are already working, and that the number of misleading advertisements has decreased considerably. We now hope that less consumers will be scammed by fraudulent web shops», says Nergård.
The Consumer Ombudsman requests consumers to give notice if they see potentially misleading advertisements.
«We will be attentive to see if Facebook’s promised changes will be sufficiently effective. Tips from active users will be of great help in this work», says Consumer Ombudsman Gry Nergård.
Children on Facebook
Even though Facebook has met the Consumer Ombudsman’s demands on several important areas, the company still has not taken sufficient responsibility to protect children from advertising.
«Facebook must take a greater responsibility to secure children from being exposed to extensive commercial pressure. We are not satisfied on this matter, and will continue the negotiations with Facebook», says Nergård.
The Consumer Ombudsman will also work for a clearer set of rules regarding social media advertising together with international collaborating partners.
Press contact at the Consumer Ombudsman:
Gry Nergård, Consumer Ombudsman (Tel: + 47 99 00 50 80)