NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, prompting investigations from 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 later acknowledged that the ads contravened its policies against child exploitation. Following an internal review of the material uncovered during the probe, the company removed more ads, deactivated related accounts, and blocked associated links.
Investigators created an Instagram account in India and monitored profiles posting sexually suggestive content. The platform soon began displaying paid advertisements from the account for explicit material. Subsequent ads featured children in sexually suggestive contexts and directed users to Telegram. Authorities documented roughly 30 distinct ads linked to child sexual abuse content, with some appearing under multiple advertiser accounts. The findings revealed that prohibited material infiltrated Instagram’s paid advertising platform despite existing review controls.
Instagram relies on automated systems and occasional human checks to review advertisements. Investigators reported reporting one ad involving a young child through Instagram’s reporting tools, but the platform initially responded that it did not violate standards. Meta later stated its systems had already detected some offending ads and disabled the related accounts. Additional content was removed after further information was provided. The company also blocked URLs connected to material that violated its child sexual exploitation policies.
Indian authorities call for action from Meta
Following the public release of the advertising investigation in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded. It instructed Meta to eliminate advertisements and content promoting or facilitating access to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The ministry also requested information on how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government emphasized that it had taken these reports seriously and sought a detailed response from the platform. Regulatory authorities are continuing to assess compliance with India’s online safety standards.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also intervened, issuing notices to social media firms and subsequently initiating an inquiry into Meta’s services. Indian law obligates online intermediaries to act when faced with unlawful material involving minors. The Information Technology Act and accompanying rules define platform responsibilities concerning harmful online content, while the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides legal protections against child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Official scrutiny of platform enforcement measures underway
Meta stated it employs technology to identify accounts exhibiting suspicious activity involving minors. In 2025, the company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide for potential suspicious behavior related to children. It also eliminated millions of pieces of child exploitation content. In India alone, detection systems targeting suspicious off-platform links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. Meta maintains policies that prohibit ads exploiting, endangering, or sexualizing children.
This case has placed Instagram’s advertising controls under official review in India. Authorities are scrutinizing how illegal material reached users through paid advertisements and whether platform safeguards comply with legal standards. Meta confirmed that offending ads had appeared and stated it had taken enforcement actions against related ads, accounts, and links. Additionally, Telegram removed channels connected to illegal child sexual abuse material following their identification. As of August 7, Indian child protection authorities continue their investigation into the content and the involved platforms.