NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid ads in India that promoted access to child sexual abuse material, prompting regulatory and Meta actions. Several ads directed users to Telegram channels offering illegal content for payment. Authorities documented approximately 30 distinct ads linked to such material, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later confirmed 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, where they followed 10 profiles featuring sexually suggestive posts. Within days, paid advertisements promoting explicit adult material started appearing. Subsequent ads included images of children in suggestive settings and redirected viewers outside Instagram. Several links led to Telegram channels offering illegal content for as little as 99 rupees. Findings indicated that prohibited material had infiltrated Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement efforts.
One ad involving a young child was reported via Instagram’s integrated reporting system. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not violate community standards. Meta later stated that its systems had already detected some offending ads and disabled related accounts. After investigators presented further evidence, the company reviewed additional material, removing more ads, shutting down extra accounts, and blocking URLs that violated its child sexual exploitation policies.
Indian authorities demand explanations regarding ad oversight
Following the public release of the findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by ordering actions against advertisements and content that promoted access to child sexual exploitative and abusive material. The ministry also requested details on how such ads bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later expressed serious concern over the reports and asked the platform involved for a comprehensive response under India’s online safety and platform compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to social media platforms concerning this issue and later launched an inquiry involving services owned by Meta. Indian law mandates online intermediaries to tackle unlawful material and content that harms children. The Information Technology Act and its associated rules impose responsibilities on major digital platforms operating within the country. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act offers additional legal protections against minors being sexually exploited or abused.
Meta continues removing content and faces ongoing child protection probe
Meta reports that it relies on automated systems to detect accounts exhibiting suspicious activity involving minors. During 2025, the company removed over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide for potentially suspicious behavior. It also eliminated millions of instances of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India, Meta indicated that its systems targeting suspicious off-platform links contributed to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. Its advertising policies explicitly prohibit content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Telegram also took action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement efforts. The company announced the removal of more than 274,000 groups and channels connected to such content during 2026. Indian authorities are examining how prohibited ads managed to reach users via paid promotions and whether platform controls meet legal standards. Meta acknowledged the presence of violating ads and stated that it took action against related accounts, ads, and links. As of August 7, the Indian child protection investigation remains ongoing.