Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has come under fire from members of Congress for allowing ads promoting opioids and other illicit drugs on its platform. In a letter signed by 19 lawmakers, Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg was called upon to provide details regarding these ads, following disturbing reports by the Tech Transparency Project and the Wall Street Journal.
The letter expressed concern that Meta seemed to be neglecting its social responsibility and disregarding its own community guidelines by allowing such ads to run on its platform. What made the situation particularly alarming was that these were not user-generated posts on the dark web or private social media pages, but rather advertisements that had been approved and monetized by Meta.
According to the Tech Transparency Project, in March, they found over 450 ads on Instagram and Facebook selling illegal drugs. These ads were blatant in their promotion, featuring images of prescription drug bottles or bricks of cocaine, and encouraging viewers to place orders. The investigation involved searching Meta’s Ad Library for terms like „OxyContin,“ „Vicodin,“ and „pure coke.“
The letter from Congress members to Zuckerberg posed several questions, including the number of illicit drug ads Meta has run on its platform, what actions have been taken to address them, and whether viewers were targeted based on personal health information. The lawmakers requested a response from Zuckerberg by September 6.
In response to inquiries, a Meta spokesperson stated that they work with law enforcement to combat illegal drug activity and have systems in place to proactively detect and enforce against violating content. The spokesperson mentioned that hundreds of thousands of ads are rejected for violating drug policies, and Meta continues to invest in improving its ability to identify illicit drug ads.
It is crucial for tech companies like Meta to take responsibility for the content that appears on their platforms and to ensure that illegal activities, such as the promotion of drugs, are not facilitated. The partnership between technology companies and law enforcement is essential in combating such activities and protecting users from harmful content.
In late July, Meta faced another setback when a music label ended its partnership for streaming premium music videos on the platform. This decision was based on the popularity of the product among Facebook’s user base compared to other music products. It is evident that companies like Meta must constantly evaluate their partnerships and offerings to align with user preferences and community standards.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative for tech companies to prioritize user safety and well-being. By addressing concerns raised by lawmakers and taking proactive measures to prevent the promotion of illicit drugs on their platforms, Meta can demonstrate its commitment to creating a safe and responsible online environment for all users.