Google and Meta Under Scrutiny in ED's Online Gambling Probe
Google representatives testified before the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering investigation tied to illegal online gambling ads. Meta executives did not appear. Google asserted its commitment to platform safety and compliance with local laws, while the ED explores how illegal ads proliferated on tech platforms.
- Country:
- India
Representatives of Google appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday as part of a probe into money laundering linked to the promotion of illegal online betting platforms, official sources revealed. However, executives from Meta, formerly known as Facebook, did not attend.
The ED initially summoned officials from both tech giants on July 21, extending their appearance to July 28 to grant more preparation time. The agency plans to record statements from a designated "compliance officer" of Google under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and acquire relevant documents.
Google's spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to secure platforms and adherence to local laws, highlighting efforts to ban illegal gambling ads. Meanwhile, the federal agency's investigation spans more than a dozen illegal gambling cases across India, scrutinizing ad placements on various platforms and app stores.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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