Govt Issues Notice to Meta Over Child Sexual Abuse Material in Instagram Ads

New Delhi, India Jul 5, 2026 ALN: The government has issued a stern notice to Meta regarding Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) in paid s on Instagram, sources reported on Sunday. The notice was issued on Saturday evening, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation and abuse.

According to sources, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered Instagram to disable all s and content promoting and facilitating access to CSEAM. This directive underscores the government's commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of children in the digital space, especially given the increasing prevalence of child exploitation material online.

This development follows a directive from IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who instructed MeitY officials to summon Meta over allegations that Instagram ads were promoting child sexual abuse material. The seriousness of these allegations necessitated immediate action, reflecting the government's zero-tolerance approach towards such offenses.

The ministry has demanded an explanation and information on actions taken in response to the notice regarding these allegations, as government sources indicated. MeitY has also requested a detailed explanation within seven days, emphasizing the urgency of the matter and the need for swift accountability.

Meta, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, owns popular social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company's vast reach and influence in the social media landscape make it imperative for them to adhere to strict content guidelines, particularly regarding sensitive issues like child exploitation.

This latest action from the ministry comes in light of a BBC report alleging that Meta's recommendation algorithm had been promoting videos containing child sexual abuse material, revealing significant gaps in the platform's safeguards. The investigation by the BBC also reportedly found instances of such content appearing on both Facebook and Instagram, despite Meta's advertising policies explicitly prohibiting nudity and sexually explicit content.

Instagram is alleged to have displayed paid s with terms like 'rape video' and 'child video', which directed users to Telegram channels where such content was reportedly available for sale. This alarming revelation raises questions about the efficacy of Meta's content moderation practices and the robustness of its advertising review processes.

A source familiar with the situation noted that the government is expected to seek answers on how such s were approved, what corrective measures Meta has taken since the allegations emerged, and what safeguards it plans to implement to prevent similar incidents in the future. The scrutiny on Meta's practices is not only a reaction to the current allegations but also part of a broader concern regarding the responsibilities of social media platforms in safeguarding users, particularly vulnerable populations like children.

Even as an intermediary, Meta cannot rely on the 'third-party content' defense if allegations involve paid s promoting child sexual abuse material, sources emphasized. This legal perspective highlights the increasing accountability that social media companies face in the wake of growing concerns over online safety and the exploitation of children.

If the allegations are found to be true, they will be held accountable for the s, for which the platform receives revenue, one source stated. This potential liability underscores the financial implications of failing to adequately monitor and control the content that is promoted on their platforms.

While MeitY will review the technical and regulatory aspects of the matter, any agency, authority, or individual may file a complaint against the advertiser or platform if they believe offenses under the law have been committed, sources pointed out. This opens the door for a broader public discourse on the responsibilities of tech companies in preventing the dissemination of harmful content.

The Indian government has consistently maintained a zero-tolerance approach towards CSEAM, requiring online platforms to promptly detect, remove, and report such content while strengthening safeguards to protect children in the digital ecosystem. This approach is part of a larger global trend where governments are increasingly holding tech companies accountable for the content that appears on their platforms.

From time to time, the government has also blocked websites containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), based on lists from Interpol received through the Central Bureau of Investigation, India's national nodal agency for Interpol. These measures are indicative of the government's proactive stance in combating child exploitation and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.

Authorities have repeatedly warned technology companies that any failure to effectively combat CSAM and other harmful content could lead to regulatory scrutiny and legal action. This serves as a reminder that the digital landscape is not a lawless space and that companies must take their responsibilities seriously.

Meta has come under regulatory scrutiny for the second time this week. On Wednesday, the Centre issued a notice to Meta questioning the planned username feature on WhatsApp, citing concerns that it could significantly increase online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams, and impersonation attacks. This highlights the government's multifaceted approach to regulating social media platforms and ensuring that they do not contribute to the proliferation of harmful activities.

The government directed the platform to pause the feature until consultations on the issue are completed to the satisfaction of the Government. Sources indicated that WhatsApp will defer the rollout of the username feature, reflecting the government's cautious approach to new functionalities that could pose risks to users.

Meanwhile, a team from Meta met with officials in the IT Ministry following the notice summoning them over the contentious feature on WhatsApp. Given that the timeline for providing a detailed explanation on the 'usernames' feature is three days, Meta is expected to submit its final reply as per the schedule. This rapid response requirement underscores the urgency with which the government is treating these matters.

The Centre has asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the IT Act and rules concerning WhatsApp's new feature that may increase cybercrimes. The government also reminded Meta that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, is bound by due diligence obligations under the IT Act and rules. This legal framework establishes clear expectations for how social media platforms must operate in India, particularly in relation to user safety and content moderation.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Meta will respond to these allegations and what measures it will implement to address the concerns raised by the Indian government. The implications of this case extend beyond Meta, as it could set a precedent for how other tech companies handle similar issues in the future. The increasing scrutiny of social media platforms reflects a growing recognition of the need for stronger regulations to protect children and vulnerable populations online, making this a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding digital safety and corporate responsibility.