Key Takeaways
1. Meta is introducing new warnings on WhatsApp for device linking to protect users from scams.
2. Facebook will implement alerts for suspicious friend requests to help users identify impersonation scams.
3. The new tools are part of a broader strategy that uses AI to identify and disrupt scam activities across multiple platforms.
4. Meta has removed over 159 million scam ads worldwide in 2025, with significant efforts in India to combat scams.
5. Meta is collaborating with external organizations for awareness initiatives and has filed lawsuits against misleading advertisers in various countries.
Meta has revealed a new suite of tools to combat scams on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger. The company is leveraging AI technologies to enhance its ability to identify and disrupt fraudulent activities. In a post from March 11, Meta outlined updates such as device-linking warnings on WhatsApp, alerts for suspicious friend requests on Facebook, and improved detection systems targeting scam networks and misleading advertisers.
Changes in WhatsApp and Facebook
One of the key changes for users is on WhatsApp, where Meta is introducing new warnings related to device linking. This aims to protect users from being tricked into connecting their accounts to devices controlled by attackers. On Facebook, similar alerts for suspicious friend requests are being added to help users recognize impersonation and social-engineering scams before they interact with them.
A Broader Strategy Against Scams
Meta highlighted that these new tools form part of a larger strategy to address scams that are increasingly crossing over various services and employing more advanced methods to appear genuine. The company noted that as scammers continue to adapt their tactics, its defenses are being updated across multiple applications instead of just one isolated area.
Moreover, Meta is implementing AI technologies to quickly identify and halt scam activities. This approach wasn’t described as a single new feature but rather as part of an extensive safety framework that includes automated detection, actions against scam ads, and collaborations with external agencies and organizations.
Ongoing Efforts and Legal Actions
The scale of the scam issue remains considerable, with Meta stating that in 2025, it removed over 159 million scam ads worldwide for breaching its policies. Specifically in India, Meta reported banning over 12.1 million scam-related ad pieces, with more than 93% being taken down proactively.
In addition to these product updates, Meta continues to collaborate with external partners on awareness initiatives against scams. The company emphasized its partnership with India’s I4C and SEBI on the third edition of the “Scams se Bacho” campaign, which aims to enhance user knowledge about common online fraud methods.
This announcement follows Meta’s recent actions against scams. In late February, the company disclosed that it had filed several lawsuits against misleading advertisers in Brazil, China, and Vietnam as part of its ongoing efforts to combat scam activities on its platforms.
Scams are among the most persistent safety challenges on major online platforms, especially as fraudsters utilize AI tools, impersonation strategies, and cross-platform messaging to create convincing fake offers and urgent requests. Meta’s latest updates indicate that the company is attempting to tackle these issues from multiple angles: providing clearer warnings for users, enhancing automated detection systems, and increasing legal and collaborative enforcement efforts.
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