In a recent development, members of Congress have called on Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg to provide details regarding ads for opioids and other illicit drugs on the tech giant’s platform. A letter signed by 19 lawmakers highlighted disturbing reports by the Tech Transparency Project and the Wall Street Journal, urging Meta to address the issue of such ads on its platform.
The letter expressed concerns about Meta’s apparent failure to uphold its social responsibility and adhere to its own community guidelines. It pointed out that the ads in question were not user-generated content on the dark web or private social media pages but were approved and monetized by Meta, making the situation particularly egregious.
According to the Tech Transparency Project’s findings in March, more than 450 ads on Instagram and Facebook were promoting illegal drugs. These ads were blatant in their intentions, 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,“ revealing the extent of the issue.
The letter from Congress members to Zuckerberg posed several questions, including the number of illicit drug ads run on Meta’s platform, the actions taken to address them, and whether viewers were targeted based on personal health information. The deadline for Zuckerberg to respond to these inquiries was set for September 6.
In response to the concerns raised, a Meta spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to combating illegal drug activity. They stated that Meta works with law enforcement to address such issues and has systems in place to proactively detect and enforce against violating content. The spokesperson also mentioned that Meta rejects hundreds of thousands of ads that violate its drug policies and continues to invest in improving its ability to identify illicit drug ads.
It is worth noting that in late July, a music label ended its partnership with Meta for streaming premium music videos, citing lower popularity among Facebook’s user base compared to other music products. This decision reflects the evolving dynamics of partnerships in the digital space and the need for platforms to adapt to changing user preferences.
Overall, the call from Congress members for transparency and accountability from Meta regarding illicit drug ads underscores the importance of responsible advertising practices and the need for tech companies to prioritize user safety and well-being. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for platforms like Meta to address such issues promptly and effectively to maintain trust and credibility among users and stakeholders.
