NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram displayed paid promotions in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, prompting Indian authorities and Meta to intervene. Several ads directed users to Telegram channels offering illegal material for a fee, with some prices starting at 99 rupees. Meta subsequently confirmed that these advertisements violated its policies on child exploitation. Following an assessment of the material uncovered during the probe, the company removed further ads, deactivated related accounts, and blocked associated links.
Authorities set up an Instagram account in India and tracked profiles featuring sexually suggestive content. The platform soon began serving paid ads on this account for explicit materials. Later advertisements depicted children in sexually provocative scenarios and linked users to Telegram. Investigators identified roughly 30 distinct ads connected to child sexual abuse content, with some appearing under multiple advertiser accounts. The evidence indicated that restricted content bypassed Instagram’s review controls and entered its paid advertising system despite platform safeguards.
Instagram relies on automated systems and occasional human review to vet advertisements. Investigators reported that one ad involving a young child was flagged via Instagram’s reporting tools. Initially, the platform responded that the ad did not breach its standards. Meta later stated its detection systems had already flagged some offending ads and had disabled related accounts. Additional content was removed after further information was obtained. The company also stated it blocked URLs linked to material that violated its child sexual exploitation policies.
Indian authorities call for action from Meta
Following the public disclosure of the advertising findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by instructing Meta to eliminate ads and content promoting or enabling access to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The ministry also requested details on how such ads bypassed Instagram’s security measures. Subsequently, the Indian government announced it had taken the issue seriously and demanded a comprehensive response from the involved intermediary. Regulatory authorities continued their review to ensure compliance with India’s online safety standards.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also engaged in the case, issuing notices to various social media platforms and initiating an inquiry into Meta-operated services. Indian legislation obligates online intermediaries to act against unlawful content involving minors, guided by the Information Technology Act and its rules. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act further enforces criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Official scrutiny of platform enforcement measures
Meta stated it employs advanced technology to detect accounts exhibiting suspicious activity related to children. During 2025, the company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally for potentially harmful behavior involving minors, along with millions of pieces of child exploitation content. In India alone, detection tools targeting suspicious off-platform links led to 160,000 account deletions within six months. Meta emphasizes its strict policies against advertisements that exploit, endanger, or sexualize children.
This incident has brought increased scrutiny to Instagram’s advertising oversight in India. Authorities are investigating how banned material reached users through paid promotions and whether the platform’s safeguards comply with legal standards. Meta acknowledged the presence of violating ads and confirmed enforcement actions against related content, accounts, and links. After their identification, Telegram also removed channels linked to illegal child sexual abuse material. As of August 7, Indian child protection agencies continue their investigation into the involved platforms and the content involved.