Topic
child sexual abuse
Indian Government Summons Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting Child Sexual Abuse Material
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has ordered Meta to explain Instagram ads that promoted child sexual abuse material, as revealed by a BBC investigation. The ads used explicit search terms and linked to Telegram channels selling the content for as little as ₹99. Meta says it has removed the ads and suspended accounts. This marks the second government action against Meta this week, following a notice on WhatsApp's usernames feature.
Technology BBC Finds Instagram Running Paid Ads Promoting Child Sexual Abuse Material in India
A BBC Eye investigation found Instagram running paid adverts that promote child sexual abuse material in India, using terms like 'rape video' and 'child video'. The ads link to Telegram channels where material is sold for about $1. Meta initially said one reported ad did not violate guidelines but later disabled ads and suspended accounts. Telegram said it removed over 274,000 related groups/channels in 2026.