Tim Walberg
08/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/15/2024 11:46
Walberg, Bilirakis, Castor, Trahan Lead Bipartisan Letter to Meta on Illicit Drug Advertisements
Washington, D.C. --Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), and Lori Trahan (D-MA) led 15 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Meta expressing deep concerns with recent reports of hundreds of illicit drug advertisements on their platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp. In the letter, Walberg and his colleagues write: "We are particularly concerned about the impact these advertisements have on children and teenagers. In 2022, an average of 22 minors, ages 14 to 18, died in the U.S. each week from drug overdoses. This is driven not by an increase in illicit drug use, but rather by the contents of drugs becoming deadlier due to the influx of fentanyl into the United States. Fentanyl is often found in counterfeit oxycodone, benzodiazepines, and other prescription pills - all of which have been found on your platforms, including in advertisements."
The letter continues: "Meta appears to have continued to shirk its social responsibility and defy its own community guidelines. Protecting users online, especially children and teenagers, is one of our top priorities. We are continuously concerned that Meta is not up to the task and this dereliction of duty needs to be addressed."
The letter continues: "Meta appears to have continued to shirk its social responsibility and defy its own community guidelines. Protecting users online, especially children and teenagers, is one of our top priorities. We are continuously concerned that Meta is not up to the task and this dereliction of duty needs to be addressed."
You may read the full letter here.