NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse material, prompting investigations by authorities and actions from Meta. Several advertisements directed users to Telegram channels selling illegal content for money. Law enforcement identified roughly 30 distinct ads associated with such material, some of which appeared through multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later acknowledged that these ads breached its policies against child exploitation and subsequently removed additional ads, accounts, and links connected to the problematic content.
Authorities in India created an Instagram account to monitor activity, following 10 profiles that featured sexually suggestive posts. Within days, paid advertisements for explicit adult content appeared. Later, additional ads depicted children in suggestive poses and directed viewers outside Instagram. Several links led to Telegram channels offering illegal material for as little as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that prohibited content had slipped into Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement measures.
One ad involving a young child was flagged through Instagram’s reporting tool. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not violate community standards. However, Meta later confirmed that its systems had already detected some offending ads, leading to the disabling of associated accounts. Following further review prompted by investigators’ additional findings, Meta removed more ads, shut down additional accounts, and blocked URLs that violated its policies on child sexual exploitation.
Indian officials demand explanations regarding ad oversight
In July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a response after the findings became public. The ministry directed action against advertisements and content that promoted access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. It also requested information on how such advertising bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later stated it had taken serious note of these reports and asked the platform involved for a comprehensive reply under India’s online safety and platform compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also issued notices to social media companies concerning this issue. An inquiry was subsequently launched into services operated by Meta. Indian legislation mandates that online intermediaries must address illegal material and content harmful to children. The Information Technology Act and related rules impose obligations on major digital platforms in India, while the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides additional protections against sexual abuse and exploitation involving minors.
Continued efforts by Meta to remove harmful content and ongoing child protection investigation
Meta states it employs automated tools to identify accounts engaging in suspicious activity involving minors. In 2025, the company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally for potentially suspicious behavior. It also highlighted the elimination of millions of pieces of child exploitation content from its platforms. In India, Meta noted that systems targeting off-platform links contributed to the removal of 160,000 accounts over a six-month period. Its advertising policies explicitly prohibit content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Telegram has also 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 content during 2026. Indian authorities are examining how prohibited ads bypassed controls via paid promotions and whether platform safeguards meet legal standards. Meta has confirmed the presence of violating ads and stated it has acted against related accounts, ads, and links. As of August 7, the investigation into child protection in India remains ongoing.