Ripple (@Ripple) CTO Emeritus David Schwartz (@JoelKatz) has cautioned that aggressive content filtering could weaken online scam detection. He argues that hiding suspicious posts can prevent
Ripple (@Ripple) CTO Emeritus David Schwartz (@JoelKatz) has cautioned that aggressive content filtering could weaken online scam detection. He argues that hiding suspicious posts can prevent experts from spotting phishing campaigns targeting XRP (@XRP) $XRP holders, and that public warnings remain essential to protecting users.
According to Coin-Turk, Schwartz, one of the principal designers of the XRP Ledger, criticised comprehensive algorithmic filtering as a fix for online scams. The outlet reports he said that isolating experts and users from fraudulent content creates a dangerous information vacuum, in which new threats may go undetected for longer.
The comments followed a debate on X. DigitalToday reports the discussion began after calls for platforms to adopt strong filters so users could fully block XRP scam ads and posts from their feeds. Fake giveaway schemes, such as offers promising "2-to-1 XRP", have been a recurring target of those demands.
Schwartz's argument, as reported by DigitalToday, is that a one-size-fits-all approach to hiding scam content is not necessarily effective from a cybersecurity standpoint. A cleaner feed, in his view, could leave the crypto community less prepared to identify new threats. He has also urged caution on expanding platform liability for criminal acts, according to the same report.
Schwartz has a record of publicly flagging scams. TradingView News previously reported that he warned of a sharp rise in fake airdrop and giveaway activity, and said nearly all such offers seen on social platforms are fraudulent.
The remarks come amid a wider debate over platform responsibility for scam advertising. Reuters reported that Rhode Island sued Meta Platforms in state court on Oct. 22 over its alleged tolerance for widespread scam advertising on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The suit, filed by Attorney General Peter Neronha, accuses Meta of unlawfully profiting from billions of dollars in scam advertising.
Reuters said it is the first scams-related case of this kind brought against Meta by a US state, following a similar suit filed in May by California's Santa Clara County. The Rhode Island complaint seeks civil penalties, consumer restitution and a court order requiring Meta to address scam ads on its platforms.
The case builds on an earlier Reuters investigation. As summarised by eMarketer, internal Meta documents showed the company expected to earn up to 10% of its 2024 revenue, around $16 billion, from scam and banned product ads. Meta's communications chief Andy Stone has disputed Reuters' reporting, according to Fortune.
For XRP holders, the practical point is that platform-level blocking and community-level reporting are not the same thing. Schwartz's position is that automated filters should not replace the public sharing of scam warnings that helps users recognise fraud early.
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