Lawmakers have written to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressing concerns about the failure to prevent drug ads from appearing.
The letter references reports by news agencies and the Tech Transparency Project. The investigations uncovered numerous ads directing users to illegal drug sales. These include prescription pills and cocaine.
Reports Highlight Persistent Issues
The lawmakers cited recent reports revealing ongoing issues with Meta’s content moderation.This is particularly concerning ads that promote illegal drug sales.
The reports showed these ads were not hidden in obscure parts of the web but were visible on widely used platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Criticism of Meta’s Response to Federal Investigation
The letter points out that despite being investigated by U.S. federal prosecutors for facilitating the sale of illicit drugs, Meta has not taken adequate steps to address the issue.
Lawmakers are particularly troubled by Meta’s continuing to run these ads even while facing legal scrutiny.
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Lawmakers Demand Answers
19 House members, including Reps. Tim Walberg, Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, and Lori Trahan, signed the letter.
They emphasized the illicit drug ads were approved and monetized by Meta. They have demanded more information on how the company plans to tackle this problem.
The lawmakers included a list of 15 questions for Zuckerberg and requested a response by September 6.
Meta’s Acknowledgment and Planned Response
Meta has confirmed receipt of the letter and stated that it plans to respond. It reiterated it works with law enforcement to combat criminal activity on its platforms and emphasized that its systems are designed to proactively detect and reject ads that violate drug policies.
Broader Implications for Platform Responsibility
The situation has reignited concerns about social media platforms’ role in public safety and the effectiveness of their content moderation practices. As Meta faces increasing scrutiny, its response to these allegations will be critical in shaping the future of data privacy, platform responsibility, and public trust in social media companies.
