Europe's digital economy is facing a crisis of confidence as a coordinated action by consumer organizations across the continent brings to light the systematic failure of tech giants to protect their users. Meta, Google, and TikTok are now in the crosshairs of official complaints filed with national consumer protection authorities and the European Commission, with the Greek organization EKPOIZO playing a leading role in this mobilization.
The essence of the complaint is based on an extensive investigation conducted by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC). The findings are disheartening: platforms not only fail to proactively identify scams, but they show a provocative inertia even when users point them out. According to the data, 52% of reports regarding suspicious or misleading advertisements were rejected or ignored by the companies, leaving the traps "live" in the digital space.
Algorithmic Indifference and the Cost of Fraud
Financial scams on social networks have evolved into a sophisticated industry. From fake cryptocurrency investments to "deepfake" videos of celebrities promising easy wealth, scammers exploit the same targeting tools that platforms offer to legitimate advertisers. The problem, however, is not just the ingenuity of criminals, but the structural reluctance of Big Tech to invest in human oversight.
EKPOIZO points out that consumers in Greece and the rest of Europe lose billions of euros annually. Platforms, despite their massive profits, rely almost exclusively on automated control systems. These algorithms, as proven, are extremely easy to bypass. When a user reports a scam, they often receive a canned response stating that the ad "does not violate company policies," even when the fraud is blatant.
The Legal Arsenal: The Digital Services Act (DSA)
The current complaint is not just a protest, but a legal push for the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA). This new EU regulation imposes strict obligations on Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) to mitigate systemic risks, including the dissemination of illegal content and financial scams.
- Diligence and Due Diligence: Companies must verify the identity of advertisers, especially for financial products.
- Transparency: Users must know why they are seeing a specific ad and who is paying for it.
- Rapid Response: User reports must be examined with seriousness and speed, which the BEUC investigation proves is not happening.
If authorities find systematic violations, fines can reach up to 6% of the companies' global annual turnover. For giants like Meta or Google, these are billions of dollars that cannot be ignored as a mere "cost of doing business."
Platform Responsibility and Citizen Protection
The platforms' stance is described by BEUC as "systematic negligence." This is not about isolated incidents, but a business model that prioritizes advertising revenue over user safety. Consumer organizations are now calling for a ban on targeted ads for financial products that have not been strictly verified.
In Greece, EKPOIZO's participation is crucial, as Greek consumers are often more vulnerable due to a lack of digital literacy regarding investments. The organization calls on the Ministry of Development and the Competition Commission to coordinate with European authorities to impose sanctions. The era when "we didn't know" was a sufficient excuse for Silicon Valley is gone forever.
In conclusion, the battle against digital scams is not just technical; it is political and ethical. The demand for a safer internet is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for the functioning of democracy and the market. Europe, through the DSA and the action of organizations like EKPOIZO, is leading the way toward a digital age where responsibility will go hand in hand with profitability.
