Meta ‘turning a blind eye’ to ads from illegal gambling sites, says UK watchdog
The UK Gambling Commission accuses Meta of allowing ads from unlicensed gambling sites on Facebook and Instagram, despite its own policies.Summary
The UK Gambling Commission has criticized Meta Platforms for allegedly allowing advertisements from illegal gambling sites to appear on Facebook and Instagram. According to executive director Tim Miller, the regulator found numerous unlicensed operators targeting UK users through Meta’s ad library. Miller stated that Meta “simply choose[s] not to look,” despite having the capability to identify these illegal ads. Meta suggested the Gambling Commission use its AI tools to report the ads, promising removal upon notification. Miller expressed surprise that Meta, a large tech company, isn’t proactively preventing these ads, implying a willingness to profit from illegal activity. The commission has been actively combating illegal gambling, taking down websites and issuing notices, but faces a continuous challenge. These illegal ads pose risks to vulnerable individuals and benefit criminals, as unlicensed operators avoid taxes and increase the risk of fraud.
(Source：The Straits Times)