Congress Questions Mark Zuckerberg Regarding Drug Advertising on Social Media Platforms

Thursday, 15 August 2024, 20:05

Congress is seeking answers from Mark Zuckerberg on why drug ads for cocaine and ecstasy are appearing on Facebook and Instagram. This inquiry comes after a report by the Tech Transparency Project revealed numerous such advertisements on Meta's platforms. Lawmakers are demanding clarity on Meta's policies regarding drug-related advertisements and their enforcement.
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Congress Questions Mark Zuckerberg Regarding Drug Advertising on Social Media Platforms

Congressional Inquiry into Drug Ads on Social Media

Nineteen members of Congress are pushing Mark Zuckerberg to explain why Meta has allowed ads for cocaine, ecstasy, and other drugs to be shown on Facebook and Instagram. The letter follows revelations from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), which uncovered hundreds of such ads on the company’s platform.

Details of the Letter

The letter references the TTP’s report, which identified 450 ads on Instagram and Facebook that were promoting illegal drugs. Many of these ads displayed images of prescription bottles, pills, and drugs while directing users to external apps like Telegram. The TTP has been actively sharing examples of such ads online, highlighting Meta’s apparent negligence.

Lawmakers' Concerns

“Meta appears to have continued to shirk its social responsibility,” the lawmakers stated, indicating the ads were not merely user-generated content but rather approved advertisements. This raises questions about Meta’s internal monitoring processes as these ads included explicit references to illegal substances.

Response from Meta

The letter demands details on how Meta enforces its policies against drug-related ads, as well as viewer interaction metrics. Meta has acknowledged the inquiry, stating their intention to respond by September 6, and referenced their ongoing efforts to reject ads that violate their drug policies.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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