British gambling regulator accuses Meta of ignoring illegal advertising
The authority that oversees gambling in the United Kingdom has publicly pointed to Meta, the company that controls Facebook and Instagram, for failing to prevent the display of promotions for betting sites that do not comply with the law. 🚨
A window into organized crime
Tim Miller, who leads the regulatory commission, explained to Bloomberg that these ads serve as a direct access to criminal activities. He argues that if his organization was able to identify that the promoted platforms operate outside the regulations, Meta also had the technical resources to do so and take action. The main accusation is that the tech company chooses to not see the problem.
The regulator's central arguments:- Meta has the technical capability to filter and block this type of harmful advertising.
- Its inaction is perceived as a form of complicity that harms users.
- There is a clear discrepancy between its ability to monetize and its duty to verify legality.
"If we can detect these illegal platforms, Meta can too. It's a matter of will, not capability." - Tim Miller, UK Gambling Commission.
Pressure on big tech
This case reflects the global demand for digital platforms to more actively monitor content that generates revenue. Authorities insist that companies must apply their policies with the same rigor in all areas, including paid advertising in highly regulated sectors, such as online gambling. 💻
Implications of selective oversight:- Increases tension between freedom to publish, corporate responsibility, and compliance with norms.
- Could prompt other regulators to audit more rigorously how ads are managed on social networks.
- Highlights the need for algorithms that prioritize legality as much as economic benefits.
The algorithmic dilemma
The incident highlights an evident contradiction: systems for identifying advertising revenue appear much more developed and accurate than those dedicated to checking if that content is lawful. This raises serious doubts about real priorities in the digital ecosystem and the effectiveness of self-regulation. ⚖️