“I’ve repeatedly asked Facebook to remove the thousands of scam ads featuring my image, but they continue to proliferate, with Facebook’s knowledge, on their paid advertising campaigns,” Forrest said in the video released on Friday.

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“This law, this well-meaning law going back into the dark ages, well before the digital platforms even existed, actually gives full immunity for the content published on any of the company’s platforms, designed, of course, to help the internet.

“But it doesn’t, it overrides democracy all over the world. This law means that these tech companies can publish the actions of criminals on their platform because they’re getting money for it and turning the other way.”

Forrest claimed Facebook’s cuts to its security moderation, coupled with the rise in AI technology, meant his business success was being falsely attributed to get-rich-quick schemes and not “hard work”.

Forrest used the video as a call to action for the courts, arguing it was crucial Facebook knew it was accountable not just to the American law, but to Australia’s, too.

And he called on the social media companies to use their deep pockets to safeguard their users, particularly when it came to content designed to swindle those most vulnerable.

More to come.

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