UK agency questions Meta's policies for illegal gambling site ads

[Robotic Insect Conspirac]

UK Regulator Slams Meta for Ignoring Illegal Online Gambling Advertisements

The UK Gambling Commission has expressed deep concern over Meta's policies in allowing advertisements from unlicensed online gambling sites on its platforms. At a recent conference in Barcelona, Executive Director Tim Miller criticized the social media giant's handling of these ads, saying that their claims of not tolerating them are "simply false."

According to Miller, Meta's internal policy requires gambling operators to be licensed in the markets where they advertise. However, an investigation by the commission revealed that basic searches for advertisers on Meta's platforms did not turn up any unauthorized sites, suggesting that the company is either unaware or unwilling to take action.

Miller questioned how a tech giant like Meta, with one of the world's largest search capabilities, could fail to proactively prevent such advertisements. He implied that by doing so, Meta may be tacitly allowing unlicensed operators to continue taking money from vulnerable individuals and potentially profiting from illicit activities.

The UK Gambling Commission's findings highlight the need for greater scrutiny of tech companies' policies and practices when it comes to regulating online gambling sites. The commission's criticism has sparked a debate over whether social media giants have a responsibility to protect their users from unscrupulous operators, or if they should prioritize free speech and advertising revenue above all else.

 

[Motionless Malla]

I'm really surprised that Meta isn't taking this more seriously - those ads can be super misleading and manipulative, especially for kids! My 12-year-old is already savvy enough to spot fake ads on YouTube, but what about the ones they don't even know are there? It's not just about vulnerable adults who might get scammed; it's also about protecting young minds from being influenced by shady operators. I think Meta has a duty of care to its users, especially when it comes to protecting them from harm.

 

[Exuberan]

I'm totally with the UK Gambling Commission on this one . I mean, come on Meta, you've got the resources to block those ads but you're just not doing it . It's like you're leaving vulnerable people open to being scammed and potentially losing their savings . The idea that you're "not tolerating" these ads is just a load of rubbish . You can't just claim to be against them when they're showing up in basic searches all over the place .

And what's worse is that if Meta doesn't take action, it's like they're actively enabling those dodgy operators to keep taking money from people . That's just not right . The fact that you can just click on an ad and end up on a site that's not licensed in the country where I'm browsing is just ridiculous . It's like you're putting profits over people, which is completely unacceptable .

I think it's time for Meta to step up and take responsibility for what's happening on their platforms . They need to find a way to proactively block those ads or at least make it clear that they won't tolerate them . Anything less is just not good enough

 

[Musical Yeti Rescue]

Can you believe Meta is more concerned about getting ad dollars than protecting users? Like, what's the point of having 1 billion users if you're just gonna let scammers run wild on your platforms? It's like they say, "money talks" but in this case, it's also " money drowns out common sense". I mean, how hard is it to flag a few dodgy ads? It's not rocket science, Meta!

 

[Monster Driv]

I'm getting really frustrated about this ... I mean, come on Meta! They're like the biggest platform in the world and you can't even be bothered to keep an eye out for dodgy ads? It's just not cool . The UK Gambling Commission is right to say that these ads are preying on vulnerable people and it's not right that Meta's just sitting back and letting it happen. I don't think it's about free speech or ad revenue, I think it's about doing the right thing by your users . What do you guys think? Should social media giants be responsible for policing their own platforms?

 

[Long Lobster]

idk why meta cant do its job properly . i mean whats the big deal about online gambling ads? is it really that hard for them to filter out the legit sites from the shady ones? it just feels like they're more concerned with keepin their ad revenue flowin' than actually helpin people. and now its on the uk regulator's back to deal with this mess . shouldnt meta be takin some responsibility for what happens on their platforms?

 

[National Lamp]

i'm like totally confused about meta's stance on this whole online gambling thing i mean, it seems pretty obvious that they're not doing enough to stop these shady ads from showing up on their platforms... but at the same time, i can see how they might be trying to balance free speech with protecting users from scammers. what's crazy is that one of the biggest companies in the world can't even get a handle on this stuff and it's not like it's a new issue or anything... this has been going on for ages, right? so yeah, i think the uk gambling commission needs to keep pushing for more transparency and accountability from tech giants like meta

 

[Spectral Wre]

ugh i'm so worried about my kids getting scammed online its like these big companies are more concerned with making money than looking out for our safety the idea that meta can just shrug and say "oh we didn't find them" is not good enough - they need to take responsibility for what's on their platforms and make sure they're not enabling bad people to take advantage of others its like, come on companies have a responsibility to look out for your users!

 

[Orbital]

I mean, come on Meta! You've got one of the biggest search capabilities in the world and you're still letting these dodgy online gambling sites advertise on your platforms? It's like, how hard is it to police that? The UK Gambling Commission is right to call you out on this. Vulnerable people are getting taken advantage of here and it's not just about the money, it's about people getting hurt. You've got to prioritize protecting your users over making a quick buck. And if you're worried about stifling free speech or something, that's just not a good enough excuse.

 

[Interstellar Kabuki]

yeah i think meta is just being lazy about this whole thing gotta take responsibility for what's on your platform, you know? it's not like they're getting these ads for free... but at the same time, i get why the uk commission is going off on them - it's a real concern that vulnerable people are getting scammed out of their money

 

[Power]

Meta's lack of action on this issue is pretty worrying. I mean, they're basically letting these dodgy sites take advantage of people who can't afford to lose money . It's like, yeah, you want to promote free speech and all that, but not at the expense of actual harm . The tech giants have a big responsibility here, and it's time for them to step up .

 

[Orbital Duck Dancers]

I'm so fed up with these big tech companies not taking responsibility for what they allow on their platforms . I mean, Meta's got one of the biggest search capabilities in the world and yet they're still letting unlicensed online gambling sites run wild? That's just not right . It's like they're putting profits over people's well-being. The UK Gambling Commission is right to slam them for it . We need more regulation, not less. These companies have got to start taking care of their users instead of just chasing after ad revenue . It's time for some real accountability .

 

[Shrunken Driving 25th]

I'm kinda sure Meta is trying to be good here but at the same time I think they're just dodging the issue lol I mean who wants to flag down a legit site when there's money involved? On one hand, you gotta protect vulnerable people from unlicensed operators, that's true . But on the other hand, can't we also expect Meta to kinda keep things organized and prevent scammers from ruining everyone's day? I'm really torn about this whole thing tbh

 

[Misty Macaw]

[Image of Grumpy Cat with a thought bubble saying "I'm not seeing any ads here "]

Meta thinks it's above the law?

[Image of a cat in sunglasses looking like the Joker]

UK is cracking down on online gambling sites, and Meta should too!

[ GIF of a person trying to take money from a piggy bank with a "Nope" stamp over it ]

[Image of a social media icon with a red "X" marked through it]

Free speech vs protecting users? Meta's got some 'splainin' to do!

 

[Uptight Unico]

Ugh, Meta needs to get its act together . I mean, come on, how can they claim to care about user safety and yet still allow these dodgy online gambling sites to advertise on their platforms? It's just basic common sense, you know? They're basically profiting off vulnerable people who are trying to place bets without realizing the risks . And what really gets me is that they're not even actively looking for these advertisers, it's like they're just going through the motions . I mean, I get it, free speech and all that, but can't they find a way to balance that with doing the right thing by their users? It's just another example of big tech being more concerned with making money than looking out for people .