NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid ads in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, leading to scrutiny from Indian authorities and Meta. Several of these ads directed users to Telegram channels offering illegal material for payment, with some prices starting at 99 rupees. Meta subsequently confirmed that the advertisements breached its child exploitation policies. After reviewing the material found during the investigation, the company removed additional ads, deactivated related accounts, and blocked relevant links.
Authorities set up an Instagram profile in India and tracked profiles with sexually suggestive content. The platform soon began displaying paid advertisements from this account promoting explicit material. Later, more ads featured children in sexually suggestive scenarios and directed users to Telegram. Investigators documented approximately 30 distinct ads linked to child sexual abuse content, with some appearing under multiple advertiser accounts. These findings revealed that illegal material had entered Instagram’s paid advertising system despite the platform’s review processes.
Instagram employs automated systems and occasionally human reviewers to vet advertisements. Investigators reported that one ad involving a young child was flagged through Instagram’s reporting tools. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not breach its standards. Meta later stated that its systems had already flagged some of these ads, leading to the disabling of associated accounts. Additional content was removed after further information was provided. Meta also reported blocking URLs connected to material that violated its child sexual exploitation rules.
Indian authorities demand action from Meta
Following the public release of the findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a response. It instructed Meta to delete ads and content that promoted or facilitated access to child sexual abuse material. The ministry also requested details on how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. Later, the Indian government stated it had taken the reports seriously and asked for a comprehensive explanation from the involved intermediary. Authorities continued their review to ensure compliance with India’s online safety regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also joined the case, issuing notices to social media platforms and opening an inquiry into Meta’s services. Indian law mandates that online intermediaries act when they encounter illegal content involving minors. The Information Technology Act and associated rules outline platform responsibilities for harmful online material. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors.
Official scrutiny of platform enforcement measures underway
Meta stated it employs technological tools to identify accounts with suspicious activity involving children. The company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide during 2025 for potentially suspicious behavior related to minors. It also removed millions of instances of child exploitation content. In India, detection systems targeting suspicious off-platform links resulted in 160,000 account removals over six months. The company emphasizes that its policies strictly prohibit advertisements that exploit, endanger, or sexualize children.
This incident has brought Instagram’s advertising controls under formal investigation in India. Authorities are examining how illegal material reached users via paid promotions and whether the platform’s safeguards complied with legal standards. Meta acknowledged the presence of violating ads and stated it took enforcement actions against related ads, accounts, and links. Telegram also removed channels linked to illegal child sexual abuse content after their identification. As of August 7, India’s child protection agencies continue their investigation into the matter and the involved platforms.