Senators Urge Google, Microsoft, Pinterest, Yahoo, to Combat Illegal Pharmacies

A bipartisan group of senators recently wrote letters urging tech executives at Google, Microsoft, Pinterest and Yahoo to use their platforms to eradicate illegal online drug sales and advertising. Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; John Kennedy, R-La.; and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., wrote the letters Feb. 15 to CEOs Sundar Pichai (Google), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Ben Silbermann (Pinterest) and Yahoo leadership (Marissa Mayer resigned in June). The lawmakers cited various company policies meant to combat illicit sales of drugs, drawing particular attention to fentanyl, which is contributing to opioid abuse. “These online companies can help limit illegal sales by preventing users from creating online black markets to peddle their poison,” Grassley said in a statement emailed Thursday. “I appreciate any efforts by the private sector to help tackle this problem, and I’m committed to finding new ways to help stem the tide in our nation’s opioid crisis.” The lawmakers asked firms to direct users to legal pharmacies that require valid drug prescriptions; block searches for illegal sales; report illicit advertising to police; establish 24/7 communication lines with police; and train employees to search for and find illegal content.