In the money laundering investigation launched by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against illegal online gambling advertisements, Google has sent representatives to attend the hearing, addressing regulatory issues related to advertisements on its platform; whereas Meta, also summoned, did not send representatives, raising concerns from the public.
This investigation is based on the "Anti-Money Laundering Act," focusing on how unlicensed gambling platforms massively place advertisements on mainstream digital channels including Google, Facebook, and Instagram, thereby allegedly evading taxes, committing fraud, and laundering money. Law enforcement suspects that the advertising chain involved could amount to tens of millions of rupees.
Google stated after the meeting that it will "fully cooperate with the investigation" and reiterated its commitment to platform safety. Google mentioned that its advertising system uses a dual mechanism of AI and human review, and in 2023, it removed over 247 million non-compliant advertisements and froze nearly 3 million advertising accounts in India.
Meanwhile, Meta has not yet publicly responded to its absence at the hearing, sparking public speculation about its stance. The Ministry of Education is also expanding the scope of the investigation, further scrutinizing actors, athletes, and influencers associated with endorsements of illegal gambling platforms.
This storm surrounding the regulation of gambling advertisements is affecting the sensitive nerves between India's digital platforms, celebrity economy, and law enforcement governance.
