NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid advertisements in India that promoted access to child sexual abuse material, according to findings published in July. Some ads directed users from Instagram to channels on Telegram offering illegal material for sale. Meta Platforms later acknowledged that the advertisements violated its policies against child exploitation. The findings triggered action from Indian authorities and raised questions about enforcement within Instagram’s paid advertising system. India has since sought explanations from Meta and expanded official scrutiny of the matter.
Investigators created an alias Instagram account in India to analyze sexually explicit content appearing on the platform. This account followed 10 profiles that featured sexually suggestive posts. Within days, Instagram served the account paid advertisements promoting adult pornography. Subsequently, ads emerged showing children in sexually suggestive situations and linking to Telegram channels. About 30 unique advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material were documented by investigators, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. The linked channels offered illegal content for prices starting at 99 rupees.
Instagram employs automated systems and manual reviews to screen advertisements before they go live. Investigators reported one instance of a direct advertisement involving a young child through Instagram’s reporting system. The platform responded within approximately 24 hours and stated that the ad did not breach community standards. Meta later confirmed that its systems had already detected several violating ads and disabled the relevant accounts. Following additional review, the company removed more ads, deactivated further accounts, and blocked URLs connected to content violating its policies.
India calls for platform accountability and clarification
Meta said it utilizes technology to identify accounts displaying potentially suspicious activity involving children. The company reported that over 4 million suspicious Facebook and Instagram accounts were automatically removed globally in 2025. Additionally, 36 million pieces of child exploitation content were taken down during that year. In India, Meta noted that detection efforts involving suspicious off-platform links contributed to 160,000 account deletions in a six-month span. The company also stated that it removed 13 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content worldwide from October through December 2025.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded after the July publication of the Instagram advertising findings. Authorities requested details from Meta about the ads and the review procedures involved. On July 22, the Indian government expressed serious concern over reports involving advertisements linked to child sexual abuse material. It also asked for a detailed report from the intermediary concerned. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to relevant social media platforms and subsequently launched an inquiry into the allegations involving Meta-owned services.
Investigation into child protection broadens
India’s regulations on online intermediaries are governed by the Information Technology Act and the 2021 Information Technology Rules. These frameworks require platforms to exercise due diligence when dealing with unlawful or harmful content and to inform users about sharing material that could harm children or contravene Indian law. Child sexual abuse material also falls under protections provided by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta states it reports visible instances of child exploitation through established channels, which ultimately notify Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram announced it removed over 274,000 groups and channels connected to child sexual abuse material during 2026. Meta affirms its policies ban advertisements that sexually exploit, endanger, or sexualize children. It also clarifies that advertisers remain subject to review after ads are published. The Indian child-rights investigation now includes allegations that child sexual exploitation and abuse material appeared in advertisements on Meta platforms. As of August 7, authorities continue to examine the issue under India’s child-protection and online-safety regulations.