Federal authorities are currently investigating Facebook for its potential involvement in online drug trafficking.
The investigation, led by US prosecutors in Virginia, is focusing on Meta Platforms, the conglomerate behind Facebook and Instagram, for possibly aiding in the sale of illegal drugs through its platforms, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Sources have revealed that subpoenas have been issued to determine if Meta’s social networks have facilitated and benefited from the sale of illegal drugs.
The investigation has requested Meta to provide records related to drug-related content violations and the unauthorized sale of drugs on its platforms, based on subpoena copies reviewed last year by the Journal.
Meta, the entity owning Facebook and Instagram, is under scrutiny for possibly enabling the sale of illegal drugs.
During the pandemic, telehealth companies exploited Facebook and Instagram to advertise prescription medications for conditions like ADHD and anxiety, contributing to the misuse of controlled substances such as Adderall, according to patient and employee interviews cited by the Journal.
Recently, sellers have been promoting counterfeit versions of popular weight loss medications on Meta’s platforms, including some that lack FDA approval. Despite Meta removing some of these ads, new ones quickly resurface, the Journal noted.
The subpoenas were initiated by Assistant US Attorney Randy Ramseyer, known for his investigation into Purdue Pharma’s marketing of OxyContin. Ramseyer also appeared in “Dopesick,” a Hulu miniseries about the opioid crisis in the US.
The Food and Drug Administration is part of the ongoing investigation, but neither the agency nor the prosecutor’s office has commented. It’s important to note that such investigations do not always lead to formal accusations of misconduct.
Meta has stated its commitment to collaborating with the State Department and other entities to halt the online sale of synthetic drugs, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Meta’s spokesperson emphasized that the sale of illegal drugs violates their policies, and they actively work to eliminate such content from their services. The company also proactively assists law enforcement in addressing the sale and distribution of illicit drugs.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, acknowledged the opioid epidemic as a significant public health challenge that demands a collective response from all sectors of American society.
Legislative efforts to hold Big Tech accountable for third-party content on their platforms have been hindered by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This legislation states that online platforms are not liable for third-party content, with certain exceptions.