Meta paid neo-Nazi-linked creators through Facebook, probe finds

Meta ↗ 0.37% is facing renewed scrutiny after an investigation by Australian public broadcaster ABC News Verify found that Facebook's invitation-only Content Monetisation programme has been paying advertising revenue to creators linked to neo-Nazi groups and anti-vaccine activism.ibtimes+1

The programme paid almost US$3 billion to an estimated 16.2 million monetised accounts during 2025, according to Meta. Critics argue that because creators earn money based on the performance of eligible public content, the system financially rewards posts that generate strong reactions and high engagement.inkl

Controversial Accounts Identified

Among the monetised accounts identified by ABC News Verify was Hugo Lennon, described as a far-right agitator who was removed by Victoria Police after directing racist abuse at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit to Melbourne. Lennon has been receiving revenue through the programme since September 2025.abc+1

The investigation also identified The Noticer, a far-right Australian website that ABC described as regularly publishing articles promoting white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies, along with a Facebook page promoting the anti-immigration group March for Australia. Both joined the programme during late 2025.inkl+1

Another account belonged to Monica Smit, founder of anti-lockdown group Reignite Democracy Australia. Her page featured vaccine misinformation while promoting products marketed as "radiation protection" bracelets, the report said.inkl

Meta's Response

Meta declined to comment on the specific accounts but said creators must comply with platform policies or risk losing access to advertising revenue. The company said it distinguishes between offensive speech and content capable of contributing to real-world harm, stating: "Such speech may be offensive to many, but it is not Meta's role to police offensiveness".ibtimes+1

Victoire Rio, executive director of technology accountability organisation What To Fix, said the programme effectively places Meta in a commercial relationship with participating creators. Independent researcher Dr Kaz Ross argued that Meta's engagement-driven payment model rewards material that provokes strong reactions.ibtimes

The findings raise questions about how consistently Meta enforces its own monetisation rules, which prohibit advertising revenue for misleading medical information and place restrictions on controversial social issues.inkl+1