NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Paid Instagram advertisements in India facilitated access to child sexual abuse material via links redirecting users off the platform. Authorities identified roughly 30 individual ads associated with such content. Multiple ads directed users to Telegram channels where illegal material was available for purchase, with some listings starting at 99 rupees. Meta later acknowledged that these advertisements violated its policies on child exploitation and subsequently removed additional ads, accounts, and related links.
An Instagram account was created by investigators in India, which followed 10 profiles containing sexually suggestive posts. The platform promptly began displaying paid advertisements featuring explicit adult content. Later, advertisements appeared showing children in sexually provocative scenarios, often including links to Telegram. Some advertiser accounts circulated multiple variations of the same material. The investigation revealed that restricted content managed to penetrate Instagram’s commercial advertising system despite screening measures intended to catch policy violations either before or after publication.
Additionally, investigators reported that one ad involving a young child was flagged through Instagram’s own reporting system. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not violate its community standards. However, Meta later confirmed that its automated detection systems had identified several problematic ads, resulting in the disabling of related accounts. After further investigation, Meta removed more advertisements and blocked URLs associated with the illegal material. The company emphasized that its rules prohibit advertising that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Indian authorities challenge Meta over protective measures
Following the dissemination of these findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a response. The ministry instructed Meta to take action against ads and content promoting access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. Officials also demanded details about how such ads bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later stated that it had taken these issues seriously, requesting a comprehensive explanation from the platform under the country’s online safety and compliance regulations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued separate notices to social media companies regarding this issue and subsequently launched an investigation involving Meta’s services. Indian law mandates online intermediaries to address illegal content related to children. The Information Technology Act, along with its associated rules, establishes responsibilities for major digital platforms operating within India. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act also enforces criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors.
Broader scrutiny over enforcement efforts
Meta states that it employs automated systems to detect accounts engaging in suspicious activity involving minors. During 2025, the company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally due to potentially suspicious behavior. It also eliminated millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India alone, Meta indicated that detection systems targeting off-platform links contributed to the removal of 160,000 accounts within a six-month span. Its advertising policies strictly prohibit content connected to child sexual exploitation.
Telegram took action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement efforts. The company announced the removal of more than 274,000 groups and channels related to such content during 2026. Authorities in India continue to examine how these prohibited advertisements reached users through paid promotions on Instagram. The investigation also explores whether platform controls adhered to legal standards. As of August 7, Meta confirmed that it was aware of the offending ads, stating that it had already taken measures against related ads, accounts, and links.
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