Will US prosecutors launch an investigation into Meta's platform as a place for illegal drug transactions?

Federal prosecutors in the United States are investigating whether Meta's social media platform 'facilitates and profits from illegal drug sales,' the Wall Street Journal reported.

US Is Investigating Meta for Role in Drug Sales - WSJ
https://www.wsj.com/tech/us-is-investigating-meta-for-role-in-drug-sales-574944cb

US prosecutors are investigating how Meta platforms played a part in illegal drug sales - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/16/24103027/us-investigation-meta-drug-sales-profits

According to information obtained by The Wall Street Journal from anonymous sources, prosecutors in the U.S. state of Virginia sent a subpoena to Meta in 2023, saying, ``Illegal drug-related content handled on Meta's platform, It seems that they requested information regarding the sale of illegal drugs through the Internet.

In August 2023, it was pointed out that Instagram, a photo-sharing SNS operated by Meta, was displaying advertisements for illegal content such as drugs, guns, and counterfeit bills.

It has been pointed out that Instagram receives advertising fees from users who promote illegal content and allows them to promote it - GIGAZINE

However, a Meta spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal: 'The sale of illegal drugs is against our policies, and we work to identify and remove relevant content from our services. 'We will actively cooperate with law enforcement agencies to combat the sale and distribution of illegal drugs,' he said, highlighting the company's active crackdown on illegal drugs.

In addition, the overseas media The Verge has confirmed that the Algorithmic Transparency Institute , which collected data on prescription drug advertisements on Facebook in 2022, received a subpoena from prosecutors in Virginia.
https://unsplash.com/ja/%E5%86%99%E7%9C%9F/ZOdMXpVUjqA
https://i.gzn.jp/img/2024/03/17/prosecutors-investigating-meta-illegal-drug/bastian.jpg

In addition, Nick Clegg, Meta's global president, said on X (formerly Twitter) on March 16, 2024, ``The opioid epidemic is a serious public health issue that affects every facet of American society.'' That's why Meta joins the Drug Harm Prevention Alliance alongside the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Snapchat to disrupt the sale of synthetic drugs online and educate users about the risks. I'm going,'' he posted, highlighting Meta's fight against illegal drug sales.

The opioid epidemic is a major public health issue that requires action from all parts of US society. That's why @Meta has joined the Alliance to Prevent Drug Harms alongside the @StateDept @UNODC & @Snapchat to help disrupt the sale of synthetic drugs online + educate users…

— Nick Clegg (@nickclegg) March 15, 2024

Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken, who attended a meeting of the United Nations Committee on Narcotic Drugs held on the same day, said, ``We are launching new collaborations with Meta and Snapchat to stop the spread of synthetic drugs online.'' 'We have started,' he said , emphasizing that they are cooperating with Meta in cracking down on illegal drugs.