Digging for Dirt: Feds Probe Meta's Alleged Shady Drug Deals
In a riveting turn of events, federal prosecutors are delving into the depths of Meta’s potential involvement in profiting from the advertisement of regulated drugs and the dubious telehealth services that promoted them. As uncovered by the Wall Street Journal, US prosecutors in Virginia have set their sights on Meta, formerly known as Facebook, within the scope of an investigation into the tech giant’s role in facilitating unregulated online pharmacies and their illicit activities on its platforms. The clandestine grand jury subpoenas, disclosed to the WSJ by undisclosed insiders, sought records pertaining to “Violative drug content on Meta’s platforms and/or the illicit sale of drugs via Meta’s platforms.”
Recent developments have raised eyebrows as Meta and its industry counterparts have been circulating ads for virtual healthcare providers offering access to unregulated weight loss medications amidst heightened demand for popular injectables like Ozempic and Wegovy. With these companies leveraging ad space on Facebook and Instagram, the scrutiny now turns to Meta’s potential accountability for the operations of these digital pill peddlers. While the FDA is reported to be actively contributing to the investigation, both the regulatory agency and the Virginia prosecutors have chosen to remain tight-lipped on the matter when engaged by the WSJ.
In response to the unfolding scenario, Meta has chosen a cautious stance, refraining from openly discussing the probe. A Meta spokesperson conveyed to the WSJ, “The sale of illicit drugs is against our policies and we work to find and remove this content from our services.” The spokesperson further noted Meta’s proactive collaboration with law enforcement authorities to combat the illicit sale and distribution of drugs. Despite the absence of official statements from the principal actors involved in the investigation, the executive director of Alliance to Counter Crime Online has confirmed the receipt of subpoenas on the matter, shedding light on the gravity of the situation at hand.
As the landscape of telehealth pill vendors garners increasing concern, Meta has taken steps, both public and covert, to address the proliferation of such advertisements on its platforms. The partnership with LegitScript, an entity specializing in monitoring online medical vendors and endorsing compliant online pharmacies, serves as a testament to Meta’s purported commitment to sanitizing its ad environment. Nevertheless, history has shown that Meta often bolsters its ad regulations only in the aftermath of being caught with its guard down, underscoring the need for vigilant oversight and accountability in the digital realm.
