Can Trump's Effort to Involve Tech Companies Reduce Online Drug Sales?
As the opioid crisis continues to escalate in the U.S., President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is calling on major tech companies such as Google, Meta, and TikTok to address the issue of illegal drug sales online, with a specific focus on fentanyl.
TroibNews 
As the U.S. confronts a worsening opioid crisis, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is reaching out to leading tech companies to tackle the rising online sale of illegal drugs, especially fentanyl.
Major tech firms, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok, are expected to participate in a teleconference in mid-December to discuss their potential contributions in the fight against the opioid epidemic, according to The Information. This meeting, just weeks before Trump assumes office, highlights the increasing pressure on online platforms to take on greater responsibility in preventing the distribution of illicit drugs.
"The planned meeting is a critical step in engaging tech giants on this issue, focusing on increasing scrutiny of illegal activities on their platforms," said Zhang Yong-an, professor and director of the International Center for Drug Policy Studies at Shanghai University. "It is an acknowledgment by Trump's team that, to effectively combat fentanyl trafficking, collaboration with tech companies is essential, especially for monitoring online drug markets."
The opioid crisis has resulted in thousands of deaths each year, with fentanyl—a synthetic opioid—being a significant factor in the spike in overdose fatalities in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 108,000 overdose deaths in 2023 alone.
A study conducted by Johns Hopkins in 2024 found that synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, have intensified the crisis, largely due to the emergence of online markets where these substances can be easily obtained.
**A Growing Challenge: The Dark Web and E-Commerce Platforms**
Trump's measures to address the opioid crisis began during his 2016 campaign. He declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in 2017, signed the Interdict Act in 2018, and has advocated for stricter actions against fentanyl flowing from Mexico. In November, he suggested launching a large-scale advertising campaign alongside tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods to pressure those nations into reducing fentanyl trafficking.
Despite these actions, fentanyl continues to inundate the U.S. via illegal online channels. According to the 2023 Annual Report from the International Narcotics Control Board, social media and legitimate e-commerce platforms are increasingly misused by criminals to distribute drugs, while online pharmacies sell medications without prescriptions, thereby jeopardizing public safety.
Kassandra Frederique, head of the Drug Policy Alliance, which advocates for the decriminalization of addiction, remarked, "Everything got worse. The drug supply got worse and became more readily available."
Zhang added that the emergence of decentralized platforms and cryptocurrencies has complicated tracking drug transactions. "The dark web and social media platforms have become critical hubs for illegal drug sales," he stated. "Blockchain technology and platforms like Tor have complicated efforts to track drug dealers."
The dark web has long been known as a center for illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, with infamous marketplaces like Silk Road and Dream Market. Silk Road was the first major dark web marketplace, while Dream Market, which operated until 2019, focused on narcotics and stolen data before being taken down by authorities.
**The Complexities of Enforcement: Balancing Privacy and Responsibility**
The U.S. government is taking action. In March, the Department of Justice initiated an investigation into Meta for its role in facilitating drug sales on Facebook and Instagram. Earlier this year, eBay paid $59 million to resolve claims regarding the sale of drug manufacturing equipment.
While specific details about the December meeting's agenda remain undisclosed, Zhang believes that fostering stronger partnerships between government entities and the tech industry could lead to more effective strategies in addressing the opioid crisis. "Some progress may be made if the meeting takes place," he said. "As Trump prepares to take office, the December meeting could help lay the groundwork for future discussions on the role of tech companies in addressing public health crises."
Zhang emphasized the need for international legal frameworks, pointing to mutual legal assistance treaties and extradition agreements as vital in combating global drug trafficking. "The U.S. and internet companies should promote information sharing and strengthen collaborative efforts on the basis of equal dialogue with other countries and companies," he noted.
Key international treaties, such as the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, form the foundation for a united global response to the illicit drug trade.
Nevertheless, tech companies must navigate a delicate balancing act: preventing illegal activities on their platforms without infringing on user privacy.
"This is a difficult issue," Zhang commented. "While Trump's team is likely to push for stricter policies, it's unclear how far companies will be willing to go in balancing privacy and accountability."
Given that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok operate on a global scale, the challenge becomes even more intricate. Tech companies must comply with a range of legal requirements across various countries while ensuring a coordinated response to global issues.
"The question is how these companies can comply with varying legal frameworks without compromising privacy or freedom of expression," Zhang concluded.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Major tech firms, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok, are expected to participate in a teleconference in mid-December to discuss their potential contributions in the fight against the opioid epidemic, according to The Information. This meeting, just weeks before Trump assumes office, highlights the increasing pressure on online platforms to take on greater responsibility in preventing the distribution of illicit drugs.
"The planned meeting is a critical step in engaging tech giants on this issue, focusing on increasing scrutiny of illegal activities on their platforms," said Zhang Yong-an, professor and director of the International Center for Drug Policy Studies at Shanghai University. "It is an acknowledgment by Trump's team that, to effectively combat fentanyl trafficking, collaboration with tech companies is essential, especially for monitoring online drug markets."
The opioid crisis has resulted in thousands of deaths each year, with fentanyl—a synthetic opioid—being a significant factor in the spike in overdose fatalities in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 108,000 overdose deaths in 2023 alone.
A study conducted by Johns Hopkins in 2024 found that synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, have intensified the crisis, largely due to the emergence of online markets where these substances can be easily obtained.
**A Growing Challenge: The Dark Web and E-Commerce Platforms**
Trump's measures to address the opioid crisis began during his 2016 campaign. He declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in 2017, signed the Interdict Act in 2018, and has advocated for stricter actions against fentanyl flowing from Mexico. In November, he suggested launching a large-scale advertising campaign alongside tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods to pressure those nations into reducing fentanyl trafficking.
Despite these actions, fentanyl continues to inundate the U.S. via illegal online channels. According to the 2023 Annual Report from the International Narcotics Control Board, social media and legitimate e-commerce platforms are increasingly misused by criminals to distribute drugs, while online pharmacies sell medications without prescriptions, thereby jeopardizing public safety.
Kassandra Frederique, head of the Drug Policy Alliance, which advocates for the decriminalization of addiction, remarked, "Everything got worse. The drug supply got worse and became more readily available."
Zhang added that the emergence of decentralized platforms and cryptocurrencies has complicated tracking drug transactions. "The dark web and social media platforms have become critical hubs for illegal drug sales," he stated. "Blockchain technology and platforms like Tor have complicated efforts to track drug dealers."
The dark web has long been known as a center for illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, with infamous marketplaces like Silk Road and Dream Market. Silk Road was the first major dark web marketplace, while Dream Market, which operated until 2019, focused on narcotics and stolen data before being taken down by authorities.
**The Complexities of Enforcement: Balancing Privacy and Responsibility**
The U.S. government is taking action. In March, the Department of Justice initiated an investigation into Meta for its role in facilitating drug sales on Facebook and Instagram. Earlier this year, eBay paid $59 million to resolve claims regarding the sale of drug manufacturing equipment.
While specific details about the December meeting's agenda remain undisclosed, Zhang believes that fostering stronger partnerships between government entities and the tech industry could lead to more effective strategies in addressing the opioid crisis. "Some progress may be made if the meeting takes place," he said. "As Trump prepares to take office, the December meeting could help lay the groundwork for future discussions on the role of tech companies in addressing public health crises."
Zhang emphasized the need for international legal frameworks, pointing to mutual legal assistance treaties and extradition agreements as vital in combating global drug trafficking. "The U.S. and internet companies should promote information sharing and strengthen collaborative efforts on the basis of equal dialogue with other countries and companies," he noted.
Key international treaties, such as the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, form the foundation for a united global response to the illicit drug trade.
Nevertheless, tech companies must navigate a delicate balancing act: preventing illegal activities on their platforms without infringing on user privacy.
"This is a difficult issue," Zhang commented. "While Trump's team is likely to push for stricter policies, it's unclear how far companies will be willing to go in balancing privacy and accountability."
Given that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok operate on a global scale, the challenge becomes even more intricate. Tech companies must comply with a range of legal requirements across various countries while ensuring a coordinated response to global issues.
"The question is how these companies can comply with varying legal frameworks without compromising privacy or freedom of expression," Zhang concluded.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
