NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram displayed paid ads in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, prompting authorities and Meta to act. Certain ads directed users to Telegram channels offering illegal material for payment, with some prices starting at 99 rupees. Meta later confirmed that these advertisements violated its policies on child exploitation. Following the investigation, the company removed further ads, deactivated related accounts, and blocked associated links after reviewing the evidence collected.
Investigators created an Instagram profile in India and monitored accounts sharing sexually suggestive content. Soon, the platform began displaying paid advertisements linked to explicit material. Subsequent ads featured minors in sexually provocative situations and directed users to Telegram. Officials documented roughly 30 distinct ads connected to child sexual abuse material, some appearing under multiple advertiser accounts. The findings revealed that prohibited content had bypassed Instagram’s review controls and entered its paid advertising system despite platform safeguards.
Instagram’s advertising review process relies on automated detection systems supplemented by human checks in certain cases. Investigators reported one ad involving a young child that was flagged using Instagram’s reporting tools. Initially, the platform responded that the ad did not breach its standards. Meta later stated that its detection systems had already identified some offending ads and disabled the relevant accounts. Additional content was removed after further information was provided, and Meta also blocked URLs linked to material violating its rules against child sexual exploitation.
Indian authorities demand decisive action from Meta
Following the public disclosure of these findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology took swift action. It instructed Meta to eliminate advertisements and content that promote or facilitate access to child sexual abuse and exploitation materials. The ministry also requested explanations on how such ads bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government emphasized the seriousness of the issue by requesting a comprehensive response from the platform involved, continuing to scrutinize compliance with national online safety standards.
The case also prompted involvement from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. This body issued notices to social media platforms and launched an inquiry into Meta’s services. Indian law mandates that online intermediaries must act when encountering unlawful content involving minors. The Information Technology Act and associated rules impose platform responsibilities for harmful online material, while the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors.
Official review of platform enforcement practices underway
Meta asserts that it employs technology to identify accounts exhibiting suspicious activities involving children. During 2025, the company reported removing more than 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally for potentially harmful behavior towards minors. It also took down millions of pieces of content related to child exploitation. In India alone, detection tools targeting suspicious off-platform links contributed to 160,000 account removals over a six-month span. Meta’s policies strictly prohibit advertisements that exploit, endanger, or sexualize children.
This incident has put Instagram’s advertising controls under official scrutiny in India. Authorities are investigating how prohibited content was disseminated through paid promotions and whether the platform’s safeguards meet legal standards. Meta has acknowledged the presence of violating ads and states that it has taken action against related advertisements, accounts, and links. After identifying illegal child sexual abuse channels, Telegram also removed associated channels. As of August 7, India’s child protection authorities continue their investigation into the matter and the platforms involved.