NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – In India, authorities initiated an inquiry in July after discovering paid Instagram advertisements that facilitated access to child sexual abuse material through external links. About 30 separate ads linked to such content were identified by investigators. Several of these ads directed users to Telegram channels where illegal content was available for purchase, with some listings beginning at 99 rupees. Meta later confirmed that these advertisements violated its policies against child exploitation and proceeded to eliminate further ads, accounts, and related links.
To gather evidence, investigators established an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles posting sexually suggestive material. The platform soon began serving paid ads promoting explicit adult content. Subsequent advertisements featured children in provocative contexts and included links to Telegram. Some advertiser accounts ran multiple variations of the illicit material. These findings indicate that banned content infiltrated Instagram’s commercial advertising network despite screening systems intended to prevent policy violations before or after publication.
Investigators also reported detecting one ad involving a minor through Instagram’s own reporting system. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not breach its community standards. However, Meta later revealed that its automated detection systems had already identified several offending ads and disabled the associated accounts. Following additional information, Meta removed more ads and blocked URLs connected to the material. The company emphasized that its policies strictly prohibit advertising that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Indian regulators scrutinize Meta over platform safeguards
After the findings were made public in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by instructing Meta to take action against ads and content promoting access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. Authorities also requested information about how these ads bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. Later, the Indian government stated it had taken the reports seriously and asked the platform to provide a detailed response under the country’s online safety and compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to various social media platforms regarding the issue and subsequently launched an inquiry involving Meta’s services. Indian law mandates that online intermediaries address unlawful content involving minors. The Information Technology Act and associated rules assign specific responsibilities to large digital platforms operating locally. Additionally, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act establishes criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Broader enforcement efforts attract increased attention
Meta reports that it employs automated systems to detect accounts engaged in suspicious activity involving children. During 2025, the company removed over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide suspected of such behavior. It also eliminated millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India, detection systems focusing on suspicious links outside of the platform contributed to 160,000 account removals within six months. Meta’s advertising policies explicitly ban content related to child sexual exploitation.
Telegram also took action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement efforts. The platform announced it had deleted more than 274,000 groups and channels associated with such content during 2026. Indian authorities are continuing to investigate how prohibited advertisements reached users through paid promotions on Instagram, including whether platform controls adhered to legal standards. As of August 7, Meta acknowledged the presence of violating ads and stated that it had acted against related ads, accounts, and links.