NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram was found to have run paid ads in India that promoted access to child sexual abuse material, according to a report published in July. Several of these advertisements directed users from Instagram to Telegram channels offering illegal content for purchase. Meta Platforms later confirmed that these ads violated its policies against child exploitation. The report prompted Indian authorities to take action and raised concerns about the enforcement of advertising guidelines within Instagram’s paid promotion system. Consequently, India has requested explanations from Meta and increased official oversight of the issue.
To investigate, authorities created an anonymous Instagram account in India. The account followed ten profiles featuring sexually suggestive posts. Within a few days, Instagram served paid advertisements to this account promoting adult pornography. Subsequent ads displayed images of children in sexually provocative situations and linked to Telegram channels. Investigators documented roughly 30 distinct ads promoting child sexual abuse material, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. These linked channels sold illegal content starting at 99 rupees.
Instagram employs automated and manual review processes to vet advertisements before publication. The investigators reported one ad involving a young child, which was flagged via Instagram’s reporting system. The platform responded within approximately 24 hours and stated that the ad did not breach community standards. Meta later indicated that its detection systems had already flagged several violating ads, leading to the disabling of related accounts. After reviewing additional findings, Meta removed further advertisements, deactivated more accounts, and blocked URLs associated with content that contravened its policies.
India demands platform accountability and explanations
Meta stated that it utilizes technology to identify accounts exhibiting suspicious activity involving minors. The company reported that over 4 million suspicious Facebook and Instagram accounts were automatically removed worldwide during 2025. It also eliminated 36 million pieces of content linked to child exploitation during that year. In India, Meta noted that detection efforts targeting suspicious off-platform links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts within a six-month span. Additionally, the company announced that 13 million items of child sexual exploitation content were taken down globally from October to December 2025.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded following the public disclosure of the Instagram advertising findings in July. The authorities sought detailed information from Meta concerning the advertisements and the review mechanisms involved. On July 22, the government expressed concern over reports connecting ads to child sexual abuse material and requested a comprehensive report from the intermediary. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to relevant social media platforms and subsequently launched an inquiry into allegations involving Meta’s services.
Investigation broadens to include platform oversight
India’s regulation of online intermediaries is governed by the Information Technology Act and the 2021 Information Technology Rules, which mandate due diligence in handling unlawful or harmful content. Platforms are also required to warn users against sharing material that could harm children or violate Indian law. Content involving child sexual abuse is protected under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta asserts that it reports suspected child exploitation cases through official channels, which then notify Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram claimed it removed over 274,000 groups and channels related to child sexual abuse material during 2026. Meta maintains policies that prohibit advertisements which exploit, endanger, or sexualize children, and states that ad review processes continue even after ads go live. The ongoing child-protection inquiry in India now includes allegations that child sexual exploitation and abuse ads appeared on Meta’s platforms. As of August 7, authorities continue to scrutinize the situation within India’s child safety and online security framework.