August 7, 2026 Joint Request by Seven Ministries and Agencies to Strengthen Measures against Spoofing-type Fraudulent Advertisements on SNSs and Other Platforms

　Today, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, jointly with the National Police Agency, the Financial Services Agency, the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Digital Agency, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, issued a written request to large-scale businesses that provide SNSs and other platforms to strengthen measures against spoofing-type fraudulent advertisements on SNSs and other platforms.

Note: The published materials are in Japanese only.

On social networking services (SNSs) and other exchange-type platforms, fraudulent advertisements, including spoofing advertisements that use deepfakes to make unauthorized use of celebrities’ portraits and audio (hereinafter referred to as “spoofing-type fraudulent advertisements”), are widely circulating, and damage caused by investment scams and other fraudulent activities originating from such advertisements is increasing.

　These advertisements not only have the potential to cause financial losses to consumers and users who view them, but may also significantly undermine the public trust placed in those whose identities are impersonated. Such advertisements cannot be overlooked from the perspective of protecting consumers, users, and others, and the relevant ministries and agencies are considering measures to address them.

　In light of the above situation, from the perspective of preventing harm to consumers, users, and others, the National Police Agency, the Financial Services Agency, the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Digital Agency, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry jointly issued a written request to Google LLC, LY Corporation, Meta Platforms, Inc., TikTok Japan, and X Corp. to further strengthen platform operators’ voluntary efforts to address spoofing-type fraudulent advertisements.