Lawmakers Press Meta on Controversial Drug Ads and Algorithm Issues

Lawmakers urge Meta to tackle illicit drug ads, highlighting algorithm and monitoring concerns.

At a Glance

A bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to Meta expressing concerns over illicit drug ads on its platforms.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Meta was under investigation for facilitating the sale of illicit drugs.
Tech Transparency Project found over 450 drug-related ads on Meta’s platforms recently.
Lawmakers request a response by Sept 6, 2024, detailing missed ads, revenue from these ads, and preventive steps.

Scrutiny Over Meta’s Handling of Illicit Drug Ads

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has sent a letter to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, expressing deep concerns over the proliferation of illicit drug advertisements on its platforms. Reports indicate significant shortcomings in Meta’s ad algorithms and monitoring systems, signaling a dire need for improved safety measures.

The letter, spearheaded by Reps. Tim Walberg, Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, and Lori Trahan, underscores the dangers of such ads, especially given the sensitivity of the information Meta collects and uses for content and ad personalization. The Wall Street Journal reported as recently as July 31, 2024, that Meta was still running ads directing users to illegal drug markets, deepening concerns.

Lawmakers press Meta over illicit drug advertising concerns https://t.co/KDc2xum0S4

— The Hill (@thehill) August 16, 2024

Investigations and Reactions

This issue is not new. Meta’s platforms have faced scrutiny for years regarding their role in facilitating drug sales. The Tech Transparency Project recently found over 450 advertisements selling pharmaceuticals and other drugs.

“On March 16, 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. federal prosecutors have been investigating Meta for facilitating the sale of illicit drugs,” the lawmakers wrote.

Reports by the Wall Street Journal and Tech Transparency Project revealed ads on Facebook and Instagram directing users to buy prescription pills, cocaine, and other drugs. Despite Meta’s claims of working with law enforcement and rejecting hundreds of thousands of ads for drug policy violations, these ads continued to appear.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers sent Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg a letter expressing concern that the company is failing to prevent illicit drug advertisements from running on its platform. https://t.co/k50ZEFcDoV

— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) August 15, 2024

Lawmakers Demand Data and Action

The lawmakers requested Meta to provide data by September 6, 2024, on the number of discovered and missed illicit drug advertisements, revenue generated from these ads, and steps taken to safeguard against them. They also inquired about interactions between minors and such ads.

“Time and time again we have heard from Meta that users come to your platforms because they like the personalization and experiences you provide, and you use sensitive personal information to direct such personalization through content and advertisements,” lawmakers wrote. “We in Congress, on multiple occasions, have worked to establish data privacy and security protections for Americans but have, in each instance, been met with friction and opposition from Meta with claims that we would drastically disrupt this personalization you are providing.”

Meta’s spokesperson countered, “Drug dealers are criminals who work across platforms and communities, which is why we work with law enforcement to help combat this activity. Our systems are designed to proactively detect and enforce against violating content.” Despite these assurances, lawmakers found it particularly egregious that Meta approved and monetized these ads.

These developments point to a broader issue—the responsibility of tech companies to regulate and control content on their platforms to ensure public safety, especially for younger users amid crises like the ongoing fentanyl epidemic.