NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse material, prompting responses from both regulators and Meta. Several ads directed users to Telegram channels where illegal content was available for purchase. Authorities identified roughly 30 distinct advertisements linked to such material, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later confirmed that the ads breached its policies on child exploitation and took steps to remove more ads, accounts, and links associated with the material.
An Instagram account was created by investigators in India, where they followed 10 profiles sharing sexually suggestive posts. Within days, paid ads promoting explicit adult content started to appear. Subsequent advertisements included images of children in suggestive poses and directed users outside Instagram. Several links led to Telegram channels offering illegal content for as little as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that such prohibited material infiltrated Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement efforts.
One particular ad featuring a young child was flagged through Instagram’s reporting tool. Initially, Instagram claimed that the ad did not violate its community standards. However, Meta later stated that its systems had already flagged some offending ads and disabled the accounts involved. Following further investigation prompted by additional findings from investigators, Meta proceeded to remove more ads, deactivate extra accounts, and block URLs that violated its child sexual exploitation policies.
Indian authorities demand clarification on ad moderation measures
After the findings became public 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. It also inquired about how such ads bypassed Instagram’s safety protocols. The Indian government later emphasized that it had taken the reports seriously and requested a detailed response from the platform under India’s online safety and platform compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to social media companies regarding this issue and subsequently initiated an investigation involving Meta. Indian law mandates that online intermediaries address unlawful content and material harmful to children. The Information Technology Act and its associated 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 efforts in removing harmful content and child protection investigations
Meta states that it relies on automated systems to identify accounts engaged in suspicious activity related to children. In 2025, the company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally for potentially suspicious behavior. It also took down millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India, Meta indicated that efforts targeting suspicious off-platform links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. Its advertising rules strictly prohibit any content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes minors.
Telegram has also taken action by removing channels associated with child sexual abuse material identified during enforcement efforts. The company reported removing more than 274,000 groups and channels related to such content during 2026. Indian authorities are investigating how prohibited advertisements reached users through paid promotions and whether platform controls conformed to legal standards. Meta acknowledged that offending ads had appeared and confirmed it had taken action against related accounts, ads, and links. As of August 7, the Indian child protection inquiry remains active.