India to probe Google, Meta over alleged involvement in illegal activities

NEW DELHI: India's financial crime-fighting agency has summoned executives of tech giants Google and Meta to its headquarters on Monday as it investigates accusations of money laundering on online betting apps, two government sources said on Saturday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating whether the platforms eased the way for promotion and wider reach of betting apps through advertisements, the first source said.

A date of July 21 has been set for the appearances at the agency's headquarters in the capital, New Delhi, the source added.

A second government source accused Google and Meta of using their platforms to promote illegal activities, despite a government advisory against the advertisement of any form of betting.

The agency will investigate Google and Meta over the funds they received from betting apps, the second source added, as well as checking if they were advertising or promoting any other betting platforms.

Both sources sought anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

Google and Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Betting and gambling pose "significant financial and socio-economic risks for consumers, especially youth and children," India's information and broadcasting ministry told television channels and digital media in an advisory in 2022.

Promotion of offline or online betting and gambling through advertisements was not advised in the larger public interest, the ministry added.

Domestic news agency ANI first reported the news.