NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid campaigns in India that promoted access to child sexual abuse material, prompting regulatory scrutiny and Meta’s response. Some advertisements directed users to Telegram channels that offered illegal content for payment. Authorities identified approximately 30 different ads associated with such material, with some appearing across multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later acknowledged these ads violated its policies on child exploitation, removing additional ads, accounts, and links related to the issue.
Investigators established an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles containing sexually suggestive posts. Within days, paid ads for explicit adult content started surfacing. Later, more ads featured children in provocative contexts and directed users outside Instagram. Several links led to Telegram channels offering illegal material for as little as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that banned content had infiltrated Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement efforts.
One ad involving a young child was flagged via Instagram’s built-in reporting tool. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not breach its community standards. However, Meta later confirmed that its systems had already flagged some offending advertisements and deactivated associated accounts. Following additional investigative findings, the company reviewed further content, leading to the removal of more ads, the shutdown of additional accounts, and the blocking of URLs violating its child sexual exploitation policies.
Indian authorities demand clarification on ad moderation measures
After the findings emerged in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by ordering actions against ads and content facilitating access to child sexual abuse material. The ministry also questioned how such advertising bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government emphasized its serious concern over the reports and requested a detailed explanation from the intermediary under the country’s online safety and platform compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also issued notices to social media platforms regarding this issue. It subsequently launched an inquiry involving services owned by Meta. Indian law mandates online intermediaries to address illegal content and material that endangers children. The Information Technology Act and associated regulations outline the responsibilities of major digital platforms operating domestically. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act further strengthens legal protections against minors’ sexual exploitation and abuse.
Meta’s removal efforts and ongoing child protection investigation
Meta reports deploying automated tools to detect accounts exhibiting suspicious activity related to children. The company disclosed the removal of over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally during 2025 for potentially suspicious conduct. It also eliminated millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India, Meta’s systems targeting off-platform links flagged 160,000 accounts for removal over six months. The company’s advertising policies strictly prohibit content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes minors.
Telegram has also taken action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse material detected during enforcement efforts. The platform announced the deletion of more than 274,000 groups and channels connected to such content during 2026. Indian authorities are scrutinizing how prohibited advertisements managed to reach users through paid promotions and whether platform controls meet legal standards. Meta confirmed that ads breaching policies appeared and stated it had taken action against related accounts, ads, and links. The Indian child protection inquiry remains ongoing as of August 7.