Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 40 attorneys general, has called upon Meta to take urgent action in addressing the rise of account takeovers and lockouts on Facebook and Instagram. Bonta emphasized the importance of protecting users from the traumatic and costly experience of having their accounts compromised, stating, “Having an account taken over by a bad actor can be a traumatizing, expensive, and time-consuming event for users. Today, I urge Meta to improve its prevention efforts and response to protect consumers against account takeovers and lockouts. What we are seeing today is inadequate: The company can and must do better to protect its users and our constituents.”

The attorneys general expressed deep concern over the increase in account takeovers and lockouts, highlighting the risks posed to users' personal information and financial well-being. They called on Meta to enhance its mitigation tactics and respond promptly to users affected by these incidents. The letter also requested a formal meeting with Meta to delve further into the issue and gain insight into the company's current strategies for preventing and addressing account takeovers.

In response to the surge in consumer complaints, the attorneys general urged Meta to step up its efforts in safeguarding user accounts. They sought information from the company regarding the number of account takeovers over the past five years, possible reasons for the increase, existing safeguards, response protocols, and staffing dedicated to platform security. The attorneys general emphasized the need for Meta to prioritize user protection and strengthen measures against account takeovers.

Attorney General Bonta and his counterparts from various states have come together to address this pressing issue and hold Meta accountable for protecting users from account takeovers. The coalition's united front underscores the seriousness of the situation and the shared commitment to safeguarding the online experiences of individuals across the platform.