Meta's China Partner Placed Thousands of Ads for Nudify Apps
The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) discovered that GatherOne, a significant advertising partner for Meta in China, ran numerous ads on Facebook and Instagram promoting "nudify" apps that digitally undress women. Some of these applications allegedly featured child sex abuse material (CSAM). Since Facebook and Instagram are prohibited in China, GatherOne is permitted to advertise for Chinese clients. Although Meta took down many ads and disabled several fraudulent accounts, it did not ban GatherOne, which produces over 30,000 ads monthly. TTP claims that Meta overlooks policy breaches for the sake of profits from the Chinese market, which reached $18.35 billion in 2024, including $3 billion from prohibited content. Cindy Southworth, Meta's Head of Women's Safety Policy, asserted that the company prohibits nonconsensual intimate imagery and actively works to address it. TTP director Katie Paul accused Meta of allowing GatherOne to operate without consequences.
Key facts
- GatherOne placed thousands of ads for nudify apps on Facebook and Instagram.
- Some nudify apps contained child sex abuse material (CSAM).
- GatherOne is one of Meta's key business partners in China.
- Facebook and Instagram are banned in China, so Chinese firms use agencies like GatherOne.
- Meta removed many ads and disabled fake accounts but did not ban GatherOne.
- GatherOne generates over 30,000 ads per month for Meta.
- Meta's China revenue was $18.35 billion in 2024, with $3 billion from banned content.
- TTP director Katie Paul accused Meta of giving a free pass to GatherOne.
Entities
Institutions
- Meta
- Tech Transparency Project
- GatherOne
- Bloomberg
Locations
- China
- United States
- Washington, D.C.