The Centre has directed Meta to immediately remove Instagram advertisements and content allegedly promoting child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) in India. The action follows allegations that certain Instagram advertisements redirected users to external platforms hosting child sexual abuse content.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has also issued a seven-day notice to Meta, asking the company to submit a detailed explanation while taking urgent corrective measures.
Government issues seven-day notice to Meta
According to a government official, MeitY has instructed Instagram to disable all advertisements and content that promote or facilitate access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material.
The ministry has given Meta seven days to explain how such advertisements appeared on the platform and the steps it plans to take to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Officials also said the government views the alleged algorithmic amplification of sexually exploitative content with utmost seriousness and has directed the company to act immediately.
BBC investigation triggers government action
The Centre’s directive comes after a BBC Eye investigation identified around 30 advertisements on Instagram that allegedly promoted child sexual abuse material in India. The broadcaster said it reported the advertisements to both Meta and Indian authorities.
Several advertisements carried phrases such as “rape video” and “child video”, allegedly directing users to Telegram channels where child sexual abuse material was being sold.
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The investigation also claimed that after one such advertisement was reported, Instagram initially responded that it did not violate the platform’s community standards.
BBC further stated that it created a new Instagram account and observed that the platform began recommending sexually suggestive content despite no such searches being made. The recommendations reportedly included posts by women in India sharing everyday content such as food, weather and daily life, alongside revealing clothing and sexual innuendo.
A few days later, the account was allegedly shown advertisements featuring children with adults in sexually suggestive situations, with links redirecting users to Telegram channels, according to the report.
Meta says it has zero tolerance for CSAM
Following the investigation, Meta removed several advertisements, disabled multiple accounts and blocked URLs found to be violating its policies.
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As per Hindustan Times report, in a statement, Meta said, “Meta has a zero tolerance policy for soliciting or sharing CSAM, including in ads. We use advanced AI technology to proactively detect violating content and individuals, but we are in a constant battle with criminals who hide among our 3.5 billion users and try to evade our detection. That is why our expert teams are constantly working to improve our defenses, develop new technology to root out predators, block links to violating websites, and share intelligence with other companies so they can take action too.”
The government’s notice marks the latest scrutiny of Meta’s content moderation practices as authorities seek stronger safeguards against online child sexual exploitation.
FAQs
Why did the Centre issue a notice to Meta?
The government sought an explanation over Instagram ads allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material.
How much time has Meta been given to respond?
Meta has been given seven days to submit a detailed explanation.
