NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid ads in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, prompting investigations by Indian authorities and Meta. Some of these ads directed users to Telegram channels offering illegal material for payment, with prices starting at 99 rupees in certain cases. Meta subsequently confirmed that these advertisements violated its policies against child exploitation. Following a review of the material uncovered during the inquiry, the company removed additional ads, disabled related accounts, and blocked associated links.
Investigators created an Instagram account in India and tracked profiles sharing sexually suggestive content. Soon after, the platform began displaying paid ads linked to explicit material. Later ads featured children in provocative situations and directed users to Telegram. Authorities documented approximately 30 distinct ads connected to child sexual abuse content, with some appearing under multiple advertiser accounts. The evidence indicated that prohibited material infiltrated Instagram’s paid advertising system despite the platform’s review controls.
Instagram employs automated systems and occasional human review to scrutinize advertisements. Investigators reported a single ad involving a young child through Instagram’s reporting features. Initially, the platform responded that the ad did not breach its standards. Meta later clarified that its detection systems had already identified some offending ads and disabled related accounts. The company further removed additional content after receiving further information and blocked URLs linked to material that violated its policies on child sexual exploitation.
Indian authorities call on Meta for decisive action
Following the public disclosure of the advertising issues in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by instructing Meta to delete content and ads that promoted or facilitated access to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The ministry also requested details on how such ads bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later stated it had taken the reports seriously and asked the platform to provide a comprehensive response. Authorities continued their assessment of compliance with India’s online safety regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also engaged in the case, issuing notices to social media companies and launching an investigation into Meta’s services. Indian law obligates online intermediaries to act when encountering illegal content involving minors. The Information Technology Act and associated rules define 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 oversight targets platform enforcement strategies
Meta stated that it employs technology to identify accounts with suspicious activities involving children. The company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide in 2025 for potential misconduct involving minors. It also eliminated millions of pieces of child exploitation content. In India, Meta’s detection systems targeting suspicious off-platform links led to 160,000 account removals over a six-month span. The company maintains strict policies against advertisements that exploit, endanger, or sexualize children.
This incident has brought increased scrutiny to Instagram’s advertising controls within India. Authorities are investigating how prohibited content managed to reach users via paid promotions and whether the platform’s safeguards comply with legal standards. Meta acknowledged the presence of violating ads and claims to have taken enforcement measures against the related ads, accounts, and links. Telegram also removed channels connected to illegal child sexual abuse material after they were identified. As of August 7, India’s child protection authorities continue to examine the involved content and platforms.