Meta Platforms Accused of Hosting World's Largest Illegal Wildlife Trade Market

Social media platforms, especially those owned by Meta, are being used as a major hub for illegal wildlife trafficking, a new report reveals. Conservationists and researchers highlight that Facebook, in particular, hosts what they call the world's "largest single known illegal wildlife trade market." The report accuses Meta of not only failing to curb this trade but potentially encouraging it by sharing advertising revenue and allowing subscription models for users.

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hosting the world's "largest single known illegal wildlife trade market"

Despite Meta's stated policies prohibiting the sale of endangered species, these platforms are rife with advertisements for illegal wildlife products. Research documented over 20,000 such advertisements between April 2024 and March 2026, with nearly three-quarters appearing on Facebook. Conservationists like Russell Gray, a data scientist involved in the research, noted that many reported listings remain active even after being flagged.

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Facebook is now "the central public infrastructure through which online wildlife trafficking is being concentrated, discovered and scaled"

Wildlife experts express frustration, with Tom Taylor of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand stating he has never seen action taken on reported accounts. Conservationists argue that Meta's content monetization programs, which reward engagement, inadvertently incentivize illegal activities. Daniel Stiles, an investigator specializing in wildlife trafficking, explained that increased interaction on accounts translates to more money for users, effectively encouraging the promotion of illegal acts. Meta has not publicly responded to these specific accusations.

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Even the unredacted accounts and groups we reported on publicly in the report are still live and active