Google Officers Testify in Main Cash Laundering Probe Linked to Unlawful On-line Betting, ETCFO
New Delhi, Representatives of Google on Monday deposed earlier than the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as a part of a cash laundering probe linked to the promotion of “unlawful” on-line betting and playing platforms, official sources mentioned.
Executives from Meta didn’t depose, they mentioned.
The ED had referred to as the officers of the 2 tech giants, first on July 21 and later prolonged their deposition to July 28 as they sought extra time to seem.
The company might also document the assertion of a delegated “compliance officer” of Google underneath the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act (PMLA) other than acquiring some paperwork from the corporate on Monday, the sources mentioned.
A Google spokesperson had final week instructed PTI in a press release that the corporate was “dedicated to retaining our platforms protected and safe, prohibiting the promotion of unlawful playing advertisements.”
“We’re extending our full assist and cooperation to investigating businesses to carry unhealthy actors accountable and preserve customers protected,” the spokesperson had mentioned.
There was no response from Meta, previously referred to as Fb.
The federal company is probing a number of platforms internet hosting unlawful betting and playing hyperlinks, together with alleged cases of commercials positioned for them on numerous social media retailers and app shops.
The tech giants are understood to have been referred to as by the ED to know the way such unlawful platforms place advertisements on their portals.
Some actors, celebrities and sports activities individuals are additionally underneath the scanner of the company in these instances, and are anticipated to depose.
The ED has claimed that unlawful on-line betting and playing platforms cheated individuals of their hard-earned cash, and likewise laundered and evaded taxes to the tune of a number of crores of rupees.
Google additionally mentioned its “steady AI developments, complemented by human experience, guarantee all advertisements on our surfaces adjust to native legal guidelines and our strict advert insurance policies, and shield customers from evolving threats.”
“Final 12 months alone, we eliminated 247.4 million advertisements and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India,” the agency had mentioned.
The ED is investigating greater than a dozen instances linked to unlawful playing and betting platforms throughout the nation, together with the Mahadev On-line Guide (MOB) app, whose major promoters hail from Chhattisgarh. PTI
