NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid promotional content in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse material, prompting regulatory action and responses from Meta. Some advertisements directed viewers to Telegram channels providing illegal content for payment. About 30 distinct ads linked to such material were documented by investigators, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. Meta subsequently confirmed that these ads violated its policies on child exploitation and took steps to remove additional ads, accounts, and links associated with the content.
An Instagram account was created by investigators in India to follow 10 profiles posting sexually suggestive content. Within days, paid advertisements for explicit adult content surfaced, and later ads displayed children in sexually provocative settings and led users outside Instagram. Multiple links directed to Telegram channels offering illegal material for as low as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that banned content infiltrated Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement mechanisms.
A report was made about a young child in an advertisement via Instagram’s built-in reporting system. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not breach its community standards. Meta later stated that its systems had already identified some offending ads and disabled the related accounts. Following further investigation prompted by additional findings from the investigators, Meta eliminated more ads, deactivated further accounts, and blocked URLs violating its policies on child sexual exploitation.
Indian officials seek clarification on advertisement moderation
After the findings emerged in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by ordering action against content and ads promoting child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The ministry demanded information about how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government subsequently emphasized the seriousness of the reports, requesting a detailed explanation from the intermediary under India’s online safety and platform compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to social media companies concerning this issue. It later launched an investigation involving Meta-owned services. Indian law obligates online intermediaries to address unlawful material and content that risks children’s safety. The Information Technology Act, along with related regulations, sets responsibilities for major digital platforms operating in the country. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act further reinforces legal protections against sexual abuse and exploitation involving minors.
Meta’s ongoing removal efforts and the child protection probe
Meta asserts it employs automated tools to detect accounts exhibiting suspicious activities related to children. The company reported deleting over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally in 2025 due to potentially suspicious behaviors. It also highlighted the removal of millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India, Meta mentioned that its systems targeting off-platform links suspected of abuse-related content contributed to 160,000 account removals over a six-month period. The company’s advertising policies explicitly prohibit content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Telegram has also taken action by removing channels associated with child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement efforts. The platform stated that during 2026, it eliminated more than 274,000 groups and channels linked to such illegal content. Indian authorities are examining how prohibited advertisements reached users via paid promotions and whether the platform’s controls comply with legal standards. Meta has acknowledged the presence of violating ads and confirmed measures taken against related accounts, ads, and links. As of August 7, the inquiry into child protection in India remains active.