NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram has come under scrutiny in India after reports revealed the platform ran paid advertisements that facilitated access to child sexual abuse material, according to findings published in July. Some of these ads directed users from Instagram to Telegram channels offering illegal content for sale. Meta Platforms later confirmed that these advertisements breached its policies against child exploitation. The report prompted Indian authorities to take action and raised concerns about how effectively Instagram’s paid advertising system enforces its policies. Since then, India has sought explanations from Meta and intensified its official review of the issue.
To investigate the presence of sexually explicit content, investigators created a fake Instagram account in India. This account followed 10 profiles featuring sexually suggestive posts. Within a few days, Instagram served the account with paid advertisements promoting adult pornography. Subsequent ads depicted children in provocative situations and linked to Telegram channels. Approximately 30 unique advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material were documented by investigators, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. The channels linked to these ads sold illegal material starting at prices of 99 rupees.
Instagram employs both automated systems and manual reviews to vet advertisements before they go live on the platform. Investigators reported that one ad involving a young child was flagged through Instagram’s reporting feature. The platform responded roughly 24 hours later, stating that the ad did not violate community standards. Meta subsequently reported that its systems had detected several offending ads and disabled related accounts. After further review, the company removed additional advertisements, deactivated more accounts, and blocked URLs associated with content that violated its policies.
India demands accountability and explanations from Meta
Meta stated that it employs technological measures to identify accounts with suspicious activity involving minors. The company reported that it automatically removed over 4 million suspicious Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide in 2025. Additionally, 36 million pieces of content related to child exploitation were taken down during that year. In India, Meta noted that detection efforts targeting off-platform suspicious links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. The company also disclosed that from October to December 2025, it eliminated 13 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content globally.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded after the July revelations about Instagram ads. Authorities requested details from Meta regarding the advertisements and the measures used for review. On July 22, the Indian government expressed serious concern over reports of ads associated with child sexual abuse material and called for a comprehensive report from the involved intermediary. 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’s services.
Broader investigations into child protection issues escalate
India regulates online intermediaries through the Information Technology Act and the 2021 Information Technology Rules, which require platforms to exercise diligent oversight over harmful or illegal content. Platforms must also warn users against sharing material that could harm children or breach Indian law. Content involving child sexual abuse also falls under protections provided by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta has stated that it reports suspected child exploitation through established channels, which in turn alert Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram announced that it had removed over 274,000 groups and channels linked to child sexual abuse material during 2026. Meta reaffirmed its policies banning advertisements that exploit or endanger children, emphasizing that ad review continues even after campaigns go live. The current investigation by Indian authorities now includes allegations that child sexual exploitation ads appeared on Meta-owned platforms. As of August 7, officials continue examining the case within India’s child-protection and online-safety framework.