Meta Condemned to Prevent Any New Illicit Advertising Counterfeiting the Brands of the Barrière Group

Unlike other players in the digital world, Meta has not taken effective measures, even as its platforms display advertisements for online casino offers—an illegal activity in France—that misuse the Barrière Group’s brands.

In response to these fraudulent actions and the serious damage to its reputation, the Barrière Group was compelled, as early as November 2023, to initiate various judicial and administrative actions to ensure that operators of illegal online games, advertisers, and Meta—who disseminates such advertisements and profits from them—are held accountable.

To date, these fraudulent advertisements have been viewed over 80 million times in France.

On January 11, 2024, the French courts ordered Meta to implement filtering measures to prevent illegal advertisements on its platforms.

Meta contested this ruling, and yesterday the courts once again ordered Meta to establish filtering measures.

“We welcome this judicial decision, which reminds us that the digital world is not a lawless zone and that the law applies to everyone. The Barrière Group will continue to take action to protect its clients, employees, image, and, more broadly, its social interest. We now expect strong measures from the French and European authorities to combat a scourge that affects not only the Barrière Group but also an increasing number of European companies. We are determined to undertake any new initiative necessary to defend our Group, assert our rights, and put an end to this form of impunity,” declares Alexandre Barrière, co-chairman of the Group.