NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Paid Instagram advertisements in India facilitated access to material depicting child sexual abuse through links directing users off the platform. Authorities identified approximately 30 distinct ads associated with such content, with several directing users to Telegram channels where illegal material was available for purchase, some listings beginning at 99 rupees. Meta later acknowledged that these advertisements breached its policies on child exploitation and took steps to remove further ads, accounts, and related links.
Investigators established an Instagram account in India and followed ten profiles posting sexually suggestive content. The platform soon displayed paid advertisements featuring explicit adult material, followed by additional ads showing children in sexually suggestive contexts, including links to Telegram. Some advertiser accounts circulated multiple versions of the prohibited material, revealing that illegal content had infiltrated Instagram’s commercial advertising system despite screening processes intended to detect violations prior to or after publication.
Furthermore, investigators reported discovering one advertisement involving a young child through Instagram’s own reporting system. Initially, Instagram responded by stating that the ad did not violate community standards. However, Meta later confirmed that its automated detection systems had already identified several offending ads and disabled the related accounts. Upon receiving further information, Meta proceeded to remove additional advertisements and blocked URLs associated with the illicit material, emphasizing that its policies strictly prohibit advertising that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes minors.
Indian Authorities Hold Meta Accountable Over Safety Measures
Following the public disclosure of these findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by instructing Meta to take action against advertisements and content that promote access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The ministry also demanded detailed information regarding how such ads bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government expressed its serious concern over the reports and formally requested a comprehensive response from the platform under the country’s online safety and compliance regulations.
In addition, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to various social media companies regarding the issue and subsequently launched an inquiry involving Meta’s services. Indian legislation mandates online intermediaries to address illegal content involving minors, with the Information Technology Act and its accompanying rules establishing responsibilities for major digital platforms operating domestically. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides further legal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Broader Oversight and Enforcement Actions Come Under Scrutiny
Meta states that it relies on automated tools to detect accounts exhibiting suspicious activity involving children. The company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide in 2025 due to potentially suspicious behavior, alongside millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its services. In India alone, detection systems focusing on suspicious links outside the platform contributed to the removal of 160,000 accounts during a six-month span. The company’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, with over 274,000 groups and channels being eliminated in 2026. Indian authorities continue examining how such prohibited advertisements were able to reach users through paid promotions on Instagram, including whether platform controls adhered to legal standards. As of August 7, Meta acknowledged the existence of the violating ads and stated that it had acted against related advertisements, accounts, and links.