The parent business of Instagram and Facebook, Meta Platforms, is reportedly under investigation by US authorities in Virginia on allegations that it helped facilitate the sale of illicit drugs on its platforms (New York Post).

Prosecutors have reportedly begun interrogating Meta and issuing subpoenas in an effort to determine if the company has permitted or benefited from illegal drug transactions on its platform. “Violent drug material on Meta’s platforms and/or the criminal sale of drugs via Meta’s platforms” are among the topics that prosecutors have asked for documents on.

A source close to the matter has revealed that the FDA is assisting with the probe. While this type of probe does not necessarily lead to official accusations of misconduct, the allegations have prompted prosecutors to consider the matter seriously.

“We endeavor to discover and delete this content from our services,” stated a representative from Meta, adding that “the selling of illicit narcotics is against our regulations.”

“Meta fully supports the efforts of law enforcement in their fight against the illegal drug trade.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, Meta’s president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, joined the State Department’s efforts on Friday to educate people about the significant consequences of synthetic drug usage and crack down on their online sales.

“The opioid crisis is a huge public health concern that demands attention from all areas of US society,” Clegg wrote on Friday on X. That’s why, in an effort to educate users about the dangers of synthetic drug sales online and to disrupt their sale, @Meta has joined the Alliance to Prevent Drug Harms with the @StateDept, @UNODC, and @Snapchat.

The study states that members of Congress have lately criticized social media corporations for disseminating material that has negatively impacted children and other youth.

Some lawmakers have been discussing the need to hold large digital corporations responsible for the content that third parties distribute on their platforms.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, however, declares that internet companies are not responsible for the content that third parties publish on their platforms, therefore hindering their efforts.

In very few circumstances, this rule does not apply.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, telehealth businesses used social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote prescription medications for problems including anxiety and ADHD, according to the Post.

According to the investigation, the ads caused people to take controlled medications like Adderall.