Google and Meta won’t be routinely protected against legal responsibility anymore simply because they host third-party content material in India, based on authorized consultants. The shift comes as nation’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) appears into cash laundering allegations tied to on-line betting apps.
Each tech giants had been known as into the ED’s headquarters on July 21, however they didn’t present up. They had been then issued new summons for July 28. Google did flip up for the assembly, however Meta didn’t ship anybody for the probe into the identical problem.
Google Says : We’re dedicated to maintaining our platforms protected and safe, prohibiting the promotion of unlawful playing adverts. Our steady AI developments, complemented by human experience, guarantee all adverts on our surfaces adjust to native legal guidelines and our strict advert insurance policies, and… https://t.co/eo5l4RUDyd
– Aseem Manchanda (@seemmanchanda) July 21, 2025
A Google spokesperson advised ReadWrite that the corporate is “dedicated to maintaining our platforms protected and safe, prohibiting the promotion of unlawful playing adverts.” The corporate additionally mentioned, “Our steady AI developments, complemented by human experience, guarantee all adverts on our surfaces adjust to native legal guidelines and our strict advert insurance policies, and defend customers from evolving threats. Final 12 months alone, we eliminated 247.4 million adverts and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India.
“We’re extending our full help and cooperation to investigating companies to carry unhealthy actors accountable and preserve customers protected.”
Why India is accusing Google and Meta of selling sketchy betting apps
The ED is accusing Google and Meta of actively serving to promote betting apps which might be underneath investigation for critical monetary crimes like cash laundering and unlawful wire transfers, also known as ‘hawala’. Authorities say each firms gave these apps prime advert area and allowed their related web sites to realize visibility, which helped them unfold extra broadly.
“If it may be confirmed that they’d the information of unlawful operations of such platforms, they could possibly be liable underneath numerous legislations.” – Gaurav Bhalla, Ahlawat & Associates Companion
The investigation is specializing in a big net of betting apps, lots of that are disguised as skill-based video games however are literally operating unlawful playing operations. The platforms are thought to have made crores of rupees in unlawful funds, typically funneled via complicated hawala routes to dodge detection.
Tech giants might qualify for ‘protected harbour’
Authorized consultants have defined to ReadWrite that digital platforms may face critical legal fees in the event that they knowingly promote unlawful betting operations. Gaurav bhallaa companion at Ahlawat & Associatessaid {that a} platform’s authorized danger largely relies on whether or not it qualifies for “protected harbour” underneath Part 79 of the Data Expertise Act, 2000.
“The first facet to be decided whereas ascertaining whether or not they could be liable or not would depend upon whether or not they’re in a position to declare protected harbour,” Bhalla mentioned. “In the event that they’re in a position to declare the defence, a variety of their legal responsibility can be minimized. Nevertheless, if it may be confirmed that they’d the information of unlawful operations of such platforms, they could possibly be liable underneath numerous legislations.”
He identified that there have been circumstances the place intermediaries had been held chargeable for third-party content material once they didn’t meet the standards for protected harbor. That features performing solely as a passive channel, not altering content material, and following the federal government’s due diligence tips.
Bhalla mentioned platforms lose that safety when “the middleman has conspired or abetted or aided or induced” an unlawful act, or in the event that they fail to behave after being notified by authorities. “If the middleman has information that it’s facilitating the operation of on-line betting platforms, it wouldn’t be capable to declare protected harbour (and can be held accountable for the content material hosted on their platform).”
With out protected harbor, platforms may come underneath the scanner of the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act for enabling unlawful monetary exercise, and may be charged with abetment underneath the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for promoting banned providers.
However the legal responsibility doesn’t cease with the platforms. Bhalla warned that “the app builders (which developed such betting platforms) and media retailers (which marketed such platforms) could possibly be held liable underneath provisions regarding abetment and legal conspiracy underneath Sections 56 and 62” of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.”
Celebrities within the firing line
Even public figures aren’t off the hook. “The celebrities which endorse or promote such apps on social media could possibly be topic to prosecution underneath” the Pointers for Prevention of Deceptive Ads, 2022. Since on-line betting is banned underneath the Public Playing Act, 1867, any sort of endorsement may additionally violate the Client Safety Act, 2019.
To cut back these dangers, Bhalla recommends that firms and influencers perform authorized checks and signal contracts that embody warranties and indemnity clauses, “to cater to conditions the place the tech firms or the endorsers undergo any monetary legal responsibility owing to the unlawful operations of the web higher platform.”
The investigation is an element of a bigger crackdown by the federal government company, which picked up steam after proof surfaced displaying that foreign-linked betting operations had been utilizing Indian platforms to hold out unlawful transactions.
The Ministry of Data and Broadcasting had beforehand issued advisories warning digital platforms to not run adverts associated to betting, however stories counsel these warnings had been broadly ignored, resulting in deeper scrutiny.
To all who wish to know what occurred with the ED summons immediately. Thanks 
https://t.co/VGJGK9avkU
– Prakash Raj (@Prakashraaj) July 30, 2025
As a part of the continuing probe, the ED has now summoned a number of actors in reference to the case. Rana Daggubati was requested to seem on the company’s zonal workplace in Hyderabad on July 23, whereas Prakash Raj was summoned for July 30. Vijay Deverakonda is anticipated to seem on August 6, and Lakshmi Manchu on August 13.
Talking after being summoned, Raj mentioned: “The officers summoned me as a citizen of the nation in reference to a cash laundering case linked to betting apps. It was one thing I used to be provided again in 2016.
“On ethical grounds, I selected to not pursue it. I knowledgeable them that I had not acquired any cash, as I had declined the provide.”
The celebrities are being investigated over their alleged promotion of unlawful betting apps on social media platforms.
ReadWrite has reached out to Google and Meta for remark.
Featured picture: Canva / Google / Meta
The submit Google and Meta might lose authorized defend amid Indian betting probe appeared first on ReadWrite.
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