Companies can use fake Twitter testimony in Facebook ads

Companies can use fake testimonials attributed to Twitter accounts that do not exist to advertise on Facebook and Instagram, despite Facebook’s ad policies forbidding “deceptive, false or misleading claims”.

The Independent found evidence of numerous companies - including a popular dating app and an app that offers templates for social media posts - using what appeared to be fake advertisements on social media.

One company has tens of thousands of likes on its Facebook account, and both companies have over tens of thousands of Instagram followers.