NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, prompting Indian authorities and Meta to respond. Some of these ads directed users to Telegram channels where illegal material was available for purchase, with prices starting at 99 rupees in certain instances. Meta later confirmed that these advertisements violated its policies against child exploitation. Following an investigation, the company removed additional ads, deactivated related accounts, and blocked relevant links after reviewing the content identified during the probe.
Authorities established an Instagram account in India and monitored profiles sharing sexually suggestive content. The platform soon displayed paid advertisements for explicit material linked to this account. Subsequent ads featured children in sexually provocative situations and guided users to Telegram. Investigators recorded around 30 distinct advertisements connected to child sexual abuse content, with some appearing under multiple advertiser profiles. Evidence indicated that prohibited content infiltrated Instagram’s paid advertising platform despite its review controls, raising concerns about platform oversight.
Instagram employs automated systems and, in certain cases, human oversight to review advertisements. Investigators used Instagram’s reporting tools to flag one ad involving a young child. Initially, the platform responded that the ad did not breach its standards. Meta later stated that its automated systems had already identified some offending advertisements, leading to the disabling of associated accounts. More content was subsequently removed after receiving additional information, and URLs linked to material violating child sexual exploitation policies were also blocked by Meta.
Indian authorities demand action from Meta
Following the public disclosure of these findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a response. It directed Meta to eliminate advertisements and content that promoted or facilitated access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The ministry also requested details on how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. Later, Indian officials announced they had taken the matter seriously and asked for a comprehensive explanation from the intermediary involved. Authorities continued their review to ensure compliance with India’s online safety regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) also became involved, issuing notices to various social media platforms and launching an inquiry into Meta’s services. Indian law obliges online intermediaries to act against unlawful content involving minors, governed by the Information Technology Act and related regulations. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) provides criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse involving children, emphasizing platform accountability.
Official scrutiny of platform enforcement measures
Meta stated that it relies on technology to identify accounts engaging in suspicious activities involving children. During 2025, the company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide for potentially harmful behavior involving minors. It also eliminated millions of pieces of content related to child exploitation. Specifically in India, detection mechanisms targeting off-platform links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over a six-month span. Meta asserts that its policies prohibit advertisements that exploit, endanger, or sexualize children.
The ongoing case has brought increased regulatory attention to Instagram’s advertising controls in India. Authorities are examining how illegal material bypassed safeguards and reached users through paid promotions, questioning whether platform measures complied with legal standards. Meta confirmed that prohibited ads had appeared, but emphasized that enforcement actions were taken against offending ads, accounts, and links. Additionally, Telegram removed channels linked to illegal child sexual abuse material once identified. As of August 7, Indian child protection authorities continued their investigation into the content and the platforms involved.