NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, prompting regulatory action and responses from Meta. Several ads directed users to Telegram channels where illegal material was available for purchase. Authorities documented approximately 30 distinct ads linked to such content, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later confirmed that these ads violated its policies on child exploitation and took steps to remove additional ads, accounts, and links associated with the material.
Investigators created an Instagram profile in India and followed 10 profiles featuring sexually suggestive posts. Within days, paid advertisements promoting explicit adult content started to appear. Subsequent ads included images of children in sexually provocative contexts and directed traffic outside Instagram. Several links led to Telegram channels that offered illegal material for as little as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that prohibited content was entering Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement processes.
A report of an ad involving a young child was submitted through Instagram’s built-in reporting feature. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not breach its community standards. However, Meta later stated that its systems had already identified some offending ads and had disabled related accounts. Upon further review prompted by investigators’ additional findings, Meta removed more ads, shut down further accounts, and blocked URLs that violated its child sexual exploitation policies.
Indian authorities question platform’s ad moderation measures
Following the public release of the findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by ordering action against advertisements and content that promoted access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The ministry demanded explanations on how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. Later, the Indian government emphasized that it had taken the reports seriously and requested a detailed response from the involved intermediary under India’s online safety and platform compliance framework.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to social media platforms regarding the issue and subsequently launched an inquiry involving services owned by Meta. Indian law mandates online intermediaries to take action against unlawful content that harms children. Regulations under the Information Technology Act and related rules impose responsibilities on major digital platforms operating within the country. Additionally, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides further legal protections against minors’ sexual exploitation and abuse.
Meta’s ongoing removal efforts and child protection investigations
Meta reports employing automated systems to detect accounts involved in suspicious activity related to children. The company disclosed the removal of over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally in 2025 for potentially suspicious conduct. It also stated that millions of pieces of child exploitation content had been removed across its platforms. In India, Meta’s systems targeting off-platform links flagged up to 160,000 account removals over six months. The company’s advertising policies strictly prohibit content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Additionally, Telegram has taken action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement efforts. The platform announced the removal of more than 274,000 groups and channels associated with such material during 2026. Indian authorities are scrutinizing how illegal advertisements reached users through paid promotions and whether platform controls complied with legal standards. Meta acknowledged the presence of violating ads and stated that it had taken measures against related accounts, advertisements, and links. As of August 7, the Indian child protection inquiry remained underway.