The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, Saturday, that Meta Platforms and its platforms (Instagram and Facebook) are suspected of facilitating and profiting from illegal drug sales, prompting federal prosecutors to open a criminal investigation in 2023.
Citing documents and individuals close to the matter, the American newspaper stated that subpoenas and interviews were conducted as part of proceedings before a grand jury.
The grand jury must determine whether Meta’s platforms “facilitate illegal drug sales and benefit from them,” and therefore should be prosecuted, as outlined by The Wall Street Journal, which claims to have reviewed the summonses issued in 2023.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supports this federal investigation, according to the newspaper.
Neither the FDA nor Meta immediately responded to AFP’s request for comment on Saturday.
However, a Meta spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that “illegal drug sales are against our policies, and we are working to find and remove this content from our services.”
She added, “Meta proactively cooperates with law enforcement authorities to help combat the illegal sale and distribution of drugs.”
According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 700,000 people died between 1999 and 2022 in the United States due to overdose deaths linked to the consumption of opioids obtained by prescription or illegally.
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