NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements within India that facilitated access to material involving child sexual abuse, prompting regulatory actions and responses from Meta. Several ads directed users to Telegram channels that sold illegal content for a fee. Authorities identified around 30 distinct ads linked to such material, with some ads appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later acknowledged that these ads breached its child exploitation policies and took steps to remove additional ads, accounts, and links associated with the content.
An Instagram account was created by investigators in India to track activity. Over the course of days, 10 profiles containing sexually suggestive posts were followed. Soon after, paid advertisements for explicit adult content surfaced. Subsequent ads displayed children in sexually suggestive contexts and directed viewers outside of Instagram. Several links directed users to Telegram channels offering illegal material for as little as 99 rupees. These findings indicated that prohibited content managed to infiltrate Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement efforts.
One ad depicting a young child was flagged through Instagram’s integrated reporting system. The platform initially responded by claiming that the ad did not violate community standards. However, Meta later stated that its systems had already detected some offending ads, leading to the disabling of connected accounts. As additional evidence was presented by investigators, Meta reviewed further material, removing more advertisements, shutting down additional accounts, and blocking URLs that violated its policies on child sexual exploitation.
Indian authorities demand clarification on advertising oversight
Following the public release of these findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a response. The ministry mandated action against advertisements and content that promoted access to child sexual exploitative and abusive material. It also requested details on how such ads bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later emphasized that it had taken serious note of these reports, and officials requested a detailed explanation from the intermediary 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 and subsequently launched an inquiry involving services operated by Meta. Indian law obliges online intermediaries to address unlawful content and material that harms children. The Information Technology Act and associated rules impose specific responsibilities on major digital platforms operating in the country. Additionally, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act establishes further legal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors.
Ongoing content removal efforts and child protection investigations
Meta reports utilizing automated detection systems to identify accounts engaging in suspicious activity involving children. During 2025, more than 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide were removed due to potentially suspicious behavior. The company also took down millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India, systems designed to target suspicious links outside of the platform contributed to the removal of 160,000 accounts over a six-month period. Meta’s advertising policies explicitly prohibit content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Telegram has also taken action, removing over 274,000 groups and channels linked to child sexual abuse material during 2026. Indian authorities are examining how these illegal advertisements managed to reach users through paid promotions and whether platform controls adhered to legal standards. Meta has acknowledged that such violating ads appeared and states that it has taken action against related accounts, advertisements, and links. As of August 7, the Indian child protection inquiry remains ongoing.