Trump's team to discuss online drug sales with tech giants
President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has reached out to major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok, for a meeting to address the issue of illegal drug sales online, according to a report by The Information.
The invitation, reportedly sent via email by a representative of Jim Carroll, Trump's former drug czar, aims to gather input from these companies on their priorities and challenges in combating online drug trafficking. As per the report, the meeting will focus on how tech platforms can play a more active role in curbing the sale of illegal substances, particularly fentanyl.
During his campaign, Trump pledged to pressure Mexico to curb fentanyl trafficking into the US and threatened steep tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada if these countries fail to address the issue. He has also promised to launch a national advertising campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl use, adds a recent report by Reuters on the matter.
The involvement of tech companies comes amidst heightened scrutiny of their platforms. In March, The Wall Street Journal reported that US prosecutors were investigating Meta's role in drug sales on Facebook and Instagram, examining whether the company may have profited from such activities.
Earlier this year, eBay agreed to pay $59 million and strengthen its compliance measures after the Department of Justice accused it of failing to stop criminals from selling devices used to make counterfeit drugs, including fentanyl-laced pills, further adds the Reuters report.
None of the invited companies or Trump's transition team have commented on the upcoming meeting yet, says the reports.
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