President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is taking aim at tech giants over the rampant online sale of illegal drugs. In a push to address the ongoing fentanyl crisis, representatives for Trump’s team have invited Google, Meta, Microsoft, Snap, and TikTok to a mid-December meeting to discuss solutions. The Information first reported the move on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the situation.

The Crisis at Hand

Trump has made combating the fentanyl epidemic a cornerstone of his policy agenda, vowing to pressure Mexico and Canada to curb trafficking. In November, Trump announced plans for a large-scale public awareness campaign highlighting the dangers of fentanyl, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives across the United States.

The upcoming meeting aims to gauge the tech industry’s commitment to addressing online drug sales. According to a person with direct knowledge of the communication, Trump’s transition team seeks input on barriers tech companies face in combating illegal activity and potential strategies to tackle the issue effectively.

Big Tech’s role in enabling illegal drug sales has come under scrutiny in recent years. In March, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. prosecutors were investigating Meta Platforms for potentially profiting from drug transactions on Facebook and Instagram. Similarly, eBay agreed to a $59 million settlement in January over allegations it failed to prevent the sale of devices used to manufacture counterfeit drugs.

Tech Companies Under the Microscope

The meeting invitation is seen as part of Trump’s broader strategy to hold Big Tech accountable. While Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok have not commented on the matter, their platforms have faced criticism for insufficient measures to block illegal content.

Trump’s transition team has highlighted online marketplaces and social media platforms as significant enablers of drug sales. The meeting is expected to discuss compliance measures, technology upgrades, and the role of federal oversight in combating the issue.

Analysts suggest that Trump’s stance could lead to heightened regulatory pressure on tech firms, especially if investigations uncover negligence in monitoring illegal activities.

Netizens Weigh In

Social media users have voiced their opinions on the high-stakes discussions, revealing mixed reactions:

• @PolicyGuru2024: “It’s about time Big Tech gets held accountable for its role in the fentanyl crisis. #AccountabilityNow”
• @DigitalCritic: “Trump’s move is performative. Big Tech has too much influence to let this go anywhere. #FentanylCrisis”
• @HealthcareWatch: “This meeting could be the turning point for tackling fentanyl. Hope tech firms step up. #DrugCrisis”
• @FreedomAdvocate: “More government overreach. Tech platforms aren’t responsible for every bad actor. #TechFreedom”
• @JusticeForAll: “Meta and others have profited from this for too long. Time for accountability! #BigTechScandal”
• @DataDrivenDebate: “Can technology really solve this problem? Or is this just political theater? #DrugCrisisTalks”