Tech giants Meta and Google have been issued fresh summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear on July 28, after skipping their earlier scheduled deposition in a high-profile money laundering probe linked to the promotion of illegal online betting and gambling platforms.
According to officials, the ED is investigating how these illegal betting platforms managed to advertise on major social media and digital platforms operated by Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) and Google. The agency is seeking details on advertising policies, revenue models, and compliance practices to determine whether these platforms inadvertently facilitated the promotion of unlawful activities in India.
Executives from both companies reportedly requested a deferment of the July 21 summons, citing the need for additional time to gather relevant documents, transaction data, and advertising records before appearing for questioning. The ED granted a one-week extension, setting the new deposition date for July 28.
The ongoing probe also extends beyond tech companies, with actors, celebrities, and sports personalities under scrutiny for their alleged roles in endorsing or promoting these betting platforms. Many of them are expected to be summoned for questioning in the coming weeks.
The ED is expected to question Meta and Google executives about ad verification processes, safeguards against illegal promotions, and steps taken to prevent misuse of their platforms. The outcome of this investigation could lead to stricter advertising regulations and greater accountability for global digital giants operating in India.
