Meta, Google Officials Summoned Again After Missing ED Hearing

Speedy Summary

• Event: Meta and Google executives were summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case related to illegal online betting and gambling platforms.
• Extension Granted: The executives did not appear on July 21, seeking more time to collect relevant documents, and have been asked to depose on July 28.
• Investigation Details: The ED is probing how illegal betting platforms place ads on social media and app stores.Statements will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
• Company Response:

– google claims it prohibits illegal gambling ads and is cooperating fully with authorities, leveraging AI advancements for ad compliance. It reported removing 247.4 million ads and suspending 2.9 million advertiser accounts last year in India.
– Meta has not responded publicly so far.

• Scope of Investigation: Celebrities, sports personalities, and illegal platforms like Mahadev Online Book (MOB) are also under scrutiny for alleged cheating, tax evasion worth crores, and money laundering linked to these betting operations.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The ongoing investigation by the ED highlights critical challenges surrounding regulation enforcement in India’s digital space when combating illegal online activities like gambling or betting promotions. Platforms such as meta’s Facebook/Instagram or Google’s services play notable roles due to their dominant reach; addressing how bad actors bypass stringent ad policies will be vital in creating safer advertising ecosystems.

With large-scale removal of suspicious advertisements already being reported by companies like Google, collaboration between tech giants and regulatory agencies could pave the way for better consumer safety measures against financial exploitation online-all while managing compliance within India’s legal framework effectively.

Though, achieving equilibrium between protecting users from fraudulent practices versus granting fair accountability measures for tech companies remains a complex yet integral issue amidst india’s evolving digital oversight structure.

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