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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Meta, Google officials fail to depose before ED; called again on July 28
Executives of tech giants Meta and Google did not depose before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday and have now been given fresh summons for July 28 in a money laundering case linked to promotion of "illegal" online betting and gambling platforms, official sources said. It is understood that the representatives of the two companies sought deferment of the July 21 summons, saying they need time to collect relevant information and documents before they present themselves for questioning and recording of their statements at the federal probe agency. Sources said the executives have been given a one-week extension and asked to depose on July 28. Once they depose, their statements will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. A Google spokesperson told PTI in a statement that the company was "committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads." "We are extending our full support and cooperation to investigating agencies to hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe," the spokesperson said. There was no response from Meta. The federal agency is probing several platforms allegedly hosting illegal betting and gambling links, including instances of advertisements placed for them on various social media outlets and app stores. The tech giants are understood to have been called by the ED to know how such illegal platforms can place ads on their portals. Some actors, celebrities and sports persons are also under the scanner of the agency in these cases, and are expected to depose. The ED has claimed illegal online betting and gambling platforms cheated people of their hard-earned money, and also laundered and evaded paying taxes of up to several crores of rupees. Google said its "continuous AI advancements, complemented by human expertise, ensure all ads on our surfaces comply with local laws and our strict ad policies, and protect users from evolving threats." "Last year alone, we removed 247.4 million ads and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India," the firm said. The ED is investigating more than a dozen cases linked to illegal gambling and betting platforms across the country, including the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app, whose main promoters hail from Chhattisgarh.
Mint
7 days ago
- Business
- Mint
ED issues fresh summons to Google and Meta in betting app case after tech giants fail to appear
Senior executives from technology giants Meta and Google have been issued fresh summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after failing to appear before the agency on Monday in connection with a money laundering case linked to illegal online betting and gambling platforms. According to official sources, the representatives from the two firms requested a deferment of their scheduled appearance on 21 July, citing the need for additional time to gather pertinent documents and information, reported PTI. In response, the ED granted them a one-week extension and directed them to appear on 28 July for questioning. The probe, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), reportedly focuses on the promotion and advertisement of unauthorised gambling and betting services through digital platforms. Investigators are examining how such entities were able to advertise on major social media channels and digital ecosystems operated by the two companies. Notably, the report indicates that statements from the company representatives will be formally recorded to ascertain their knowledge and role, if any, in facilitating the visibility and monetisation of these platforms. The federal agency is currently scrutinising multiple digital platforms that have allegedly hosted or promoted links to illegal betting services. According to the report, it is believed that several such platforms have defrauded users, laundering proceeds and evading taxes amounting to crores of rupees in the process. Prominent celebrities, influencers, and sports personalities are also reportedly under the agency's radar for their promotional involvement with these entities. They too are expected to be summoned in the near future. One of the more high-profile cases under investigation is that of the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app, allegedly operated by individuals based in Chhattisgarh. The platform is accused of large-scale financial fraud and money laundering activities. As of now, neither Meta nor Google has publicly responded to the latest developments. The ED continues to investigate over a dozen major cases tied to online betting and gambling operations, amid growing concerns over their unchecked proliferation on Indian digital spaces.
News18
7 days ago
- Business
- News18
Google, Meta Given Fresh Summons After They Fail To Depose Before ED In Illegal Betting Apps Case
Last Updated: Official sources said the Enforcement Directorate has asked Google and Meta executives to appear before it on July 28 Google and Meta were given fresh summons on Monday after the tech giants failed to depose before the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to promotion of 'illegal" online betting and gambling platforms. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now asked representatives of the companies to appear before it on July 28, official sources said. According to the sources, it is understood that representatives of the two companies sought deferment of the July 21 summons, saying they need time to collect relevant information and documents before they present themselves for questioning and recording of their statements at the ED. The sources said the executives have been given a one-week extension and asked to depose on July 28. Once they do, their statements will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. There was no immediate response from the two companies. The ED is probing multiple platforms hosting illegal betting and gambling links, including instances of advertisements placed for them on various internet-based social media outlets and app stores. The ED has said illegal online betting and gambling platforms were cheating innocent people of their hard-earned money, and also laundering and evading taxes worth crores of rupees. It is investigating more than a dozen big cases linked to illegal gambling and betting platforms across the country, including the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app whose main promoters hail from Chhattisgarh. (With PTI inputs) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Google and Meta officials given fresh summons in case linked to promotion of 'illegal' online betting and gambling platforms
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to executives of Google and Meta after they failed to appear before the agency today, July 21. According to news agency PTI, the tech companies were asked to appear before ED in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to advertisements promoting illegal betting and gambling platforms. Executives of both the companies have now been asked to appear before the probe agency on July 28. The executives, as per the report, sought more time, citing the need to gather relevant documents and information before they present themselves for questioning and recording of their statements. Quoting an unnamed source, the report said that once they depose, their statements will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Why ED summoned Meta, Google The PTI report says that ED is investigating multiple platforms hosting illegal betting and gambling links, and how these companies are able to advertise on various digital and social media platforms. The tech companies were called to explain the mechanisms that allowed such promotions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The ED is also expected to question several celebrities and sportspersons in connection with the same probe. Earlier this month, actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Rana Daggubati and 26 other celebrities were charged by ED for endorsing betting apps. They have been accused of violating the Public Gambling Act, 1867, by promoting such gambling apps. According to the agency, the platforms under investigation were involved in cheating users and laundering money, with large-scale tax evasion also suspected. The ED is currently handling more than a dozen cases linked to illegal betting apps, including the Mahadev Online Book, which is believed to be run by individuals from Chhattisgarh. JBL Tour Pro 3 First Look: Screen On Earbuds AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Meta, Google officials fail to depose before ED; called again on Jul 28
Enforcement Directorate (ED) has re-summoned Meta and Google executives. They are to appear on July 28 in a money laundering case. The case involves promotion of illegal online betting platforms. Executives initially sought more time to gather information. ED is investigating multiple platforms and advertisements on social media. Actors and sportspersons are also under investigation. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Executives of tech giants Meta and Google did not depose before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as scheduled on Monday and have now been given fresh summons for July 28 in a money laundering case linked to promotion of "illegal" online betting and gambling platforms, official sources is understood that the representatives of the two companies sought deferment of the July 21 summons, saying they need time to collect relevant information and documents before they present themselves for questioning and recording of their statements at the federal probe said the executives have been given a one-week extension and asked to depose on July they depose, their statements will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources was no immediate response from the two federal agency is probing multiple platforms hosting illegal betting and gambling links, including instances of advertisements placed for them on various Internet-based social media outlets and app tech giants are understood to have been called by the ED to understand how such illegal platforms can place advertisements on their social media and communication actors, celebrities and sports persons are also under the scanner of the agency in these cases, and they are also expected to depose before the ED has said illegal online betting and gambling platforms were cheating innocent people of their hard-earned money, and also laundering and evading taxes worth crores of is investigating more than a dozen big cases linked to illegal gambling and betting platforms across the country, including the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) ap,p whose main promoters hail from Chhattisgarh.
