NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements within India that promoted access to material involving child sexual abuse, prompting Indian authorities and Meta to take action. Some of these ads directed users toward Telegram channels offering illegal content for payment, with prices starting at 99 rupees in certain instances. Meta later acknowledged that these advertisements violated its policies on child exploitation. Following a review of the material uncovered during the investigation, the company removed further ads, deactivated related accounts, and blocked associated links.
Investigators created an Instagram account in India and followed profiles posting sexually suggestive content. The platform quickly began showing the account paid advertisements promoting explicit material. Later, additional ads included images of children in sexually suggestive scenarios and directed users to Telegram. About 30 distinct ads linked to child sexual abuse content were documented by investigators. Some advertisements appeared under multiple advertiser accounts. The evidence demonstrated that prohibited content had infiltrated Instagram’s paid advertising system despite the platform’s review controls.
Instagram employs automated systems and occasional human oversight to review advertisements. Investigators reported finding one ad involving a young child through Instagram’s reporting tools. Initially, the platform responded that the ad did not breach its standards. Meta later stated that its detection systems had already flagged some of the offending ads and disabled the related accounts. Additional content was then removed after further information was received. The company also stated that it blocked URLs linked to material violating its rules on child sexual exploitation.
Indian authorities call for action from Meta
Following the public revelation of these findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by instructing Meta to eliminate advertisements and content that promoted or facilitated access to child sexual abuse and exploitative material. The ministry also requested information regarding how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. Later, the Indian government stated it had taken these reports seriously and asked the involved intermediary to provide a detailed explanation. Officials continued their assessment of platform compliance with India’s online safety regulations.
The case also prompted involvement from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which issued notices to social media platforms and launched an inquiry into Meta’s services. Indian legislation imposes obligations on online intermediaries to address unlawful content involving minors. These duties are outlined in the Information Technology Act and related rules, which govern platform responsibilities for harmful online material. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act further establishes criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Official scrutiny of platform enforcement measures underway
Meta stated it leverages technology to identify accounts engaged in suspicious activity involving children. During 2025, the company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally for potentially suspicious behaviors involving minors. It also deleted millions of pieces of content related to child exploitation. In India alone, Meta reported that detection systems targeting suspicious links outside the platform resulted in the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. The company’s policies strictly prohibit advertisements that exploit, endanger, or sexualize children.
This incident has brought Instagram’s advertising safeguards under formal examination by Indian authorities. They are investigating how prohibited material reached users via paid promotions and whether platform safeguards comply with legal standards. Meta has confirmed the presence of violating ads and stated it has taken enforcement measures against related ads, accounts, and links. Additionally, Telegram removed channels associated with illegal child sexual abuse content following their identification. As of August 7, Indian child protection agencies continue to probe the matter and the involved platforms.