NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse material, prompting regulatory action and responses from Meta. Several ads directed users to Telegram channels that provided illegal content for payment. Authorities identified approximately 30 distinct ads linked to such material, with some appearing from multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later acknowledged that these ads breached its policies against child exploitation and took steps to remove additional ads, accounts, and links associated with the prohibited content.
Investigators set up an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles featuring sexually suggestive posts. Within days, paid advertisements for explicit adult content started appearing. Subsequent ads depicted children in sexually provocative contexts and directed viewers outside of Instagram. Multiple links led to Telegram channels selling illegal material for as little as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that banned content had managed to infiltrate Instagram’s advertising platform despite the platform’s review and enforcement mechanisms.
One of the ads involving a minor was reported using Instagram’s internal reporting feature. Initially, Instagram responded by stating the ad did not violate its community standards. However, Meta later confirmed that its systems had already detected some offending ads and disabled the associated accounts. Upon receiving further evidence from investigators, Meta reviewed additional material, removing more ads, deactivating additional accounts, and blocking URLs that violated its policies concerning child sexual exploitation.
Indian authorities demand explanations on advertising oversight
Following the public disclosure of the findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by initiating action against ads and content that promoted access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. It also requested information about how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later confirmed it was taking the matter seriously and asked the involved intermediary for a detailed response under India’s online safety and platform compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to social media platforms regarding the issue. Subsequently, an inquiry involving services owned by Meta was launched. Indian law mandates that online intermediaries must address unlawful content that endangers children. The Information Technology Act and its associated rules impose specific duties on major digital platforms in India. Additionally, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides further legal protections against sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.
Meta’s ongoing efforts and child protection investigations
Meta reports employing automated systems to detect accounts involved in suspicious activity related to children. During 2025, the company removed over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally for potentially suspicious conduct. It also took down millions of posts containing child exploitation material across its platforms. In India, Meta stated that systems targeting suspicious off-platform links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. The company’s advertising policies strictly 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 reported the removal of more than 274,000 groups and channels connected to such illicit material during 2026. Indian authorities continue to scrutinize how prohibited ads bypass platform controls and whether these measures meet legal standards. Meta has acknowledged the presence of violating ads and asserts it has acted against related accounts, advertisements, and links. As of August 7, the Indian child protection investigation remained ongoing.