Trump's invitation to tech giants: Can their cooperation tackle online drug sales?

As the U.S. grapples with an escalating opioid crisis, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is reaching out to major tech companies to address the growing online sale of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl.

Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap and TikTok are expected to join a teleconference in mid-December, as reported by The Information, to discuss their role in combating the opioid epidemic. The meeting, which comes just weeks before Trump takes office, underscores the mounting pressure on online platforms to take more responsibility in curbing 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." Zhang Yong-an, professor and director of the International Center for Drug Policy Studies (ICDPS), Shanghai University, told CGTN. "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."

Opioid crisis has claimed thousands of lives annually. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been a driving factor behind the surge in overdose deaths in the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting over 108,000 overdose fatalities in 2023 alone.

A 2024 study from Johns Hopkins found that synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, have exacerbated the crisis, in part due to the proliferation of online markets where these drugs are easily purchased.

A growing challenge: The dark web and e-commerce platforms

Trump's efforts to combat the opioid epidemic date back to his 2016 campaign. Since then, he has declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in 2017, signed the Interdict Act in 2018 and called for stricter measures against fentanyl from Mexico. Last month, he proposed a large-scale advertising campaign and tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods to pressure these countries to reduce fentanyl trafficking.

Despite these initiatives, fentanyl continues to flood the U.S. through illegal online channels. The 2023 Annual Report from the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) indicated that social media and legitimate e-commerce platforms are increasingly being used by criminals to distribute narcotics, while online pharmacies are selling drugs without prescriptions, further jeopardizing public safety.

"Everything got worse. The drug supply got worse and became more readily available," Kassandra Frederique, who heads an organization called the Drug Policy Alliance that supports the decriminalization of addiction, told Alaska Public Media.

Zhang noted that the rise of decentralized platforms and cryptocurrencies has made it harder to trace drug transactions. "The dark web and social media platforms have become critical hubs for illegal drug sales," he said. "Blockchain technology and platforms like Tor have complicated efforts to track drug dealers."

The dark web, accessible only through specialized software, has long been a hub for illicit activities such as drug trafficking. Notable marketplaces include Silk Road and Dream Market. Silk Road was the first major dark web marketplace, while Dream Market, active until 2019, specialized in narcotics and stolen data before being shut down by authorities.

The complexities of enforcement: Balancing privacy and responsibility

The U.S. government has taken notice. In March, the Department of Justice launched an investigation into Meta for facilitating drug sales on Facebook and Instagram. Earlier this year, eBay paid $59 million to settle claims over the sale of drug production devices.

While Trump's team has yet to provide concrete details about the meeting's agenda, Zhang noted that stronger partnerships between government agencies and the tech industry could lead to more effective solutions in curbing the opioid crisis.

"Some progress may be made if the meeting takes place," said Zhang. "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.

He also emphasized the importance of international legal frameworks in addressing the issue, citing mutual legal assistance treaties and extradition agreements as crucial tools in tackling 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 said.

International conventions, 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, provide the foundation for a coordinated global response to the illicit drug trade.

Nevertheless, tech companies face a delicate balancing act: how to prevent illegal activities on their platforms without compromising user privacy.

"This is a difficult issue," Zhang noted. "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."

With platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok operating internationally, the challenge is even more complex. Tech companies must navigate diverse legal requirements across different countries while ensuring a coordinated global response.

"The question is how these companies can comply with varying legal frameworks without compromising privacy or freedom of expression," Zhang said.

Read more: Trump's aides 'engage tech giants' to address online drug sales