NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram was found to have run paid ads in India promoting access to child sexual abuse material, as revealed in a report published in July. Certain advertisements directed users from Instagram to Telegram channels that offered illegal content for sale. Meta Platforms later admitted that these ads breached its policies against child exploitation. The report prompted Indian authorities to take action and raised concerns about the enforcement of rules within Instagram’s paid advertising system. India has since requested explanations from Meta and increased its scrutiny of the issue.
To investigate sexually explicit content on the platform, investigators created an alias Instagram account in India. This account followed 10 profiles posting sexually suggestive content. Within days, Instagram displayed paid advertisements for adult pornography to the account. Subsequent ads featured children in sexually suggestive situations and linked to Telegram channels. Researchers documented approximately 30 distinct ads promoting child sexual abuse material, some of which appeared through multiple advertiser accounts. The associated channels offered illegal content starting at 99 rupees.
Instagram’s ad review process involves automated systems combined with manual checks before ads go live. Investigators reported one instance of a young child’s image used in an ad, which was flagged via Instagram’s reporting system. The platform responded within approximately 24 hours, stating the ad did not violate community standards. Meta later explained that its systems had already detected several violating ads, leading to the disabling of related accounts. After reviewing additional findings, Meta removed further ads, deactivated more accounts, and blocked URLs linked to content that breached its policies.
India mandates platform accountability and explanations
Meta stated it employs technology to detect accounts involved in suspicious activity concerning children. The company reported that more than 4 million suspicious Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide were automatically removed during 2025, along with 36 million pieces of content related to child exploitation that year. In India, Meta’s detection efforts targeting suspicious off-platform links contributed to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. Additionally, the company claimed it eliminated 13 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content globally from October to December 2025.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded after the July disclosure of the Instagram advertising findings. Authorities requested detailed information from Meta regarding these advertisements and the review mechanisms involved. On July 22, the Indian government announced it was taking the reports seriously, particularly those linking ads to child sexual abuse material, and asked for a comprehensive report from the intermediary. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to relevant social media firms and later initiated an inquiry into the allegations involving services owned by Meta.
Broader child protection investigation extends focus
India’s approach to regulating online intermediaries is governed by the Information Technology Act and the 2021 Information Technology Rules, which mandate due diligence when managing unlawful or harmful content. Platforms are required to warn users against sharing material that could harm children or breach Indian law. Child sexual abuse material is also protected under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta asserts it reports suspected cases of child exploitation through established channels, which ultimately notify Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram claimed it removed over 274,000 groups and channels associated with child sexual abuse material in 2026. Meta maintains strict policies against advertisements that sexually exploit, endanger, or sexualize children, and states that advertiser reviews continue even after ads are active. The ongoing child-rights inquiry in India now includes allegations of child sexual exploitation and abuse content appearing on Meta platforms. As of August 7, authorities continue their investigation under India’s child-protection and online-safety regulations.