NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements in India that promoted access to child sexual abuse material, according to findings published in July. Some ads directed users from Instagram to channels on Telegram offering illegal material for sale. Meta Platforms later acknowledged that the advertisements violated its policies against child exploitation. The findings triggered action from Indian authorities and raised questions about enforcement within Instagram’s paid advertising system. India has since sought explanations from Meta and expanded official scrutiny of the matter.
Investigators created an alias Instagram account in India to examine sexually explicit material appearing on the platform. The account followed 10 profiles that featured sexually suggestive posts. Within days, Instagram served the account paid advertisements for adult pornography. Subsequently, additional ads displayed children in sexually suggestive scenarios and linked to Telegram channels. Investigators documented approximately 30 unique advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. The linked channels offered access to illegal content at prices starting from 99 rupees.
Instagram employs both automated systems and manual checks to review advertisements before they go live on the platform. Investigators reported that one ad featuring a young child was directly flagged through Instagram’s reporting system. The platform responded roughly 24 hours later, stating that the advertisement did not breach its community standards. Meta later indicated that its systems had already identified several violating ads and disabled related accounts. Following further review of additional findings, the company removed more advertisements, deactivated additional accounts, and blocked URLs associated with content that contravened its policies.
India demands accountability and clarification from Meta
Meta stated it employs advanced technology to detect accounts displaying suspicious activity involving minors. The company reported that over 4 million such accounts were automatically removed across Facebook and Instagram worldwide in 2025. It also eliminated 36 million pieces of content related to child exploitation during the same year. In India, Meta reported that suspicious off-platform links contributed to 160,000 account deletions over a six-month span. Additionally, the company removed 13 million items of child sexual exploitation content globally from October through December 2025.
Following the publication of the Instagram advertising findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology initiated official action. Authorities requested detailed information from Meta regarding the advertisements and the review processes in place. On July 22, the Indian government stated it had taken serious note of reports linking advertisements to child sexual abuse material and called for a comprehensive report from the intermediary involved. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to relevant social media companies and later launched an inquiry into the allegations involving Meta-owned services.
Child protection review broadens in scope amid ongoing investigations
India regulates online intermediaries under the provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Rules introduced in 2021. These regulations mandate that platforms exercise diligent oversight when dealing with illegal or harmful content, and they require that users be warned against sharing material that endangers children or violates Indian laws. Child sexual abuse material is also protected under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta affirms it reports suspected child exploitation through established channels, which in turn notify Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram announced it had removed more than 274,000 groups and channels linked to child sexual abuse material during 2026. Meta maintains strict policies prohibiting advertisements that sexually exploit, endanger, or sexualize children. It also states that advertiser accounts are subject to review even after ads are live. The ongoing Indian child-rights inquiry now scrutinizes allegations that child sexual exploitation and abuse-related ads appeared on Meta’s platforms. As of August 7, authorities continue to investigate the matter under India’s child-protection and online-safety frameworks.
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