NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid campaigns within India that encouraged access to child sexual abuse material, prompting regulatory scrutiny and actions from Meta. Several advertisements directed users to Telegram channels where illegal content was available for purchase. Authorities identified approximately 30 unique ads linked to such material, with some appearing across multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later acknowledged that these ads violated its policies on child exploitation and removed additional ads, accounts, and links associated with the problematic content.
Investigators created an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles containing sexually suggestive posts. Within days, paid ads promoting explicit adult content began appearing. Subsequently, some advertisements depicted children in sexually provocative contexts and directed viewers outside Instagram. Several links led to Telegram channels offering illegal material for as little as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that prohibited content had infiltrated Instagram’s advertising platform despite the company’s review and enforcement efforts.
One ad featuring a young child was flagged through Instagram’s built-in reporting feature. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not breach its community standards. However, Meta later stated that its systems had already detected some offending ads and disabled related accounts. After investigators presented additional evidence, Meta reviewed further content, leading to the removal of more ads, the shutting down of additional accounts, and the blocking of URLs that violated its policies on child sexual exploitation.
Indian authorities demand clarity on advertising controls
Following the public disclosure of the findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded with measures against advertisements and content that facilitated access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The ministry also requested information on how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later confirmed it was taking the matter seriously and sought a detailed response from the platform under India’s online safety and platform compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to social media platforms regarding the issue and later initiated an investigation involving Meta. Indian law mandates online intermediaries to address unlawful and harmful content involving children. The Information Technology Act along with its rules outlines the obligations for major digital platforms operating within the country. Additionally, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides further legal protections against sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.
Meta’s ongoing efforts and child protection inquiries
Meta reports utilizing automated systems to detect accounts exhibiting suspicious activity related to children. During 2025, the company claimed to have removed over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide for potentially suspicious behavior. It also took down millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India, Meta stated that systems aimed at identifying suspicious links outside the platform contributed to 160,000 account deletions over six months. Its advertising policies explicitly ban content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Telegram has also taken action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement efforts. The platform announced the removal of more than 274,000 groups and channels connected to such content during 2026. Authorities in India are scrutinizing how prohibited ads managed to reach users through paid promotions and whether platform controls adhered to legal standards. Meta acknowledged that such violating ads appeared and stated it has taken action against associated accounts, ads, and links. As of August 7, the investigation by Indian child protection authorities remains ongoing.