Why Do Instagram And Twitter Want Me To Buy Fake Yeezys?

It’s not rare for me to come across ads for counterfeit goods, particularly as I’m browsing Instagram or Twitter. And although I don’t have a Facebook account, I live with someone who does and know that’s an issue there as well. Targeted advertising, the kind that knows exactly what brand of sneakers and streetwear I’m into, is the least of my worries here. My problem is the fact that Twitter and Facebook (which owns Instagram) are approving sponsored posts from retailers selling counterfeits. I know better, but there are many who may fall victim to these sorts of scams. Both Facebook and Twitter are part of the Ads Integrity Alliance and have policies in place to keep out sketchy advertisers, but that’s clearly not keeping some from slipping through the cracks. Without much oversight from the social networks themselves, exercising common sense is key; if an ad sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In my case, for example, I know if I’m seeing an ad for a pair of Yeezys that cost less than their retail value, there’s no way those shoes are the real deal. Not only that, but the name of the account advertising them — something like “Adidas Yeezy 350 $119” — is a telltale sign that the products are unauthorized. Read more at Engadget.