FTC seeks comment on platform liability for scam ads

The FTC is asking the public whether social media platforms, search engines and online marketplaces should be held responsible when scammers use their ad systems to impersonate businesses and government agencies. The agency received over 1 million impersonation scam reports in 2025 with nearly $3.5 billion in consumer losses, about $2.1 billion of which started on social media. Comments will be accepted for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

• FTC logged over 1 million impersonation scam reports in 2025
• Consumer losses reached nearly $3.5 billion
• Nearly a third of victims were first contacted via social media, totaling $2.1 billion
• Commissioners voted 2-0 to open the 60-day comment period