NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Paid Instagram advertisements in India facilitated access to child sexual abuse content through links directing users outside the platform. Authorities documented approximately 30 separate ads connected to such material. Several of these ads linked users to Telegram channels where illegal content was available for purchase. Listings started at 99 rupees. Meta later confirmed that these advertisements violated its policies on child exploitation and subsequently removed additional ads, accounts, and associated links.
Investigators set up an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles featuring sexually suggestive posts. The platform quickly began serving paid ads promoting explicit adult content. Subsequent ads included images of children in provocative settings and contained links to Telegram. Some advertiser accounts posted multiple versions of such content. The investigation revealed that prohibited material had infiltrated Instagram’s commercial advertising system despite screening mechanisms intended to detect policy violations before or after publication.
Authorities also reported an incident where a young child was featured in an advertisement flagged through Instagram’s own reporting system. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not violate its community standards. Meta later stated that its automated detection systems had already identified several problematic ads and disabled related accounts. After receiving additional information, Meta removed more ads and blocked URLs associated with the content. The company emphasized that its policies strictly prohibit advertising that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Indian authorities challenge Meta’s safety measures
Following the public disclosure of these findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by instructing Meta to take action against ads and content that promote access to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Officials demanded detailed explanations on how these ads bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later confirmed it had taken the matter seriously and requested a comprehensive response from the platform under the country’s online safety and compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also issued notices to social media companies regarding this issue. It subsequently launched an inquiry into Meta’s services. Indian law obligates online intermediaries to address unlawful content involving minors. The Information Technology Act and related regulations assign responsibilities to large digital platforms operating within India. Additionally, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides specific protections against sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Enforcement efforts face increased public scrutiny
Meta reports that it employs automated systems to identify accounts involved in suspicious activity related to children. During 2025, the company removed over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide suspected of such behavior. It also took down millions of pieces of child exploitation material across its platforms. In India, Meta noted that detection systems focusing on suspicious links outside its platforms led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. Its advertising policies explicitly ban content related to child sexual exploitation.
Telegram also took action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse content identified through enforcement efforts. The company stated it eliminated more than 274,000 groups and channels associated with such material during 2026. Indian authorities continue to investigate how these illegal ads reached users through paid promotions on Instagram. The inquiry also assesses whether platform controls complied with legal standards. As of August 7, Meta acknowledged the existence of violating ads and announced actions against related ads, accounts, and links.