NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – In India, authorities have uncovered paid Instagram advertisements that facilitated access to child sexual abuse material via external links. Investigators identified roughly 30 distinct ads associated with such illicit content. Several of these 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 ads violated its policies against child exploitation, removing additional advertisements, accounts, and related links.
To conduct their investigation, officials created an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles posting sexually suggestive content. The platform quickly began serving paid ads for explicit adult material. Subsequent advertisements included images of children in suggestive contexts and links to Telegram. Some advertiser accounts published multiple variations of such content. These findings demonstrated that prohibited material bypassed Instagram’s screening measures, which are intended to identify policy violations either before or after publication.
The investigation also revealed one instance of an advertisement featuring a young child, which was reported through Instagram’s own reporting system. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not violate community standards. However, Meta later clarified that its automated detection systems had already flagged several offending ads, resulting in the suspension of related accounts. Upon receiving additional details, Meta removed further advertisements and blocked URLs associated with the content. The company reaffirmed that its policies strictly prohibit advertising that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Indian Authorities Call Out Meta Over Protective 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 advertisements and content that promote access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The ministry also requested information on how these advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later confirmed it was taking the matter seriously and demanded a comprehensive explanation from the platform in accordance with the country’s online safety and compliance regulations.
Additionally, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to multiple social media companies concerning this issue, subsequently launching an inquiry involving Meta’s services. Indian law mandates that online intermediaries address illegal content involving minors. The Information Technology Act and associated rules outline the responsibilities of major digital platforms operating within the country. Moreover, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act establishes criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Broader Enforcement Efforts Under Increased Examination
Meta states that it employs automated tools to detect accounts engaged in suspicious activities related to children. The company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally in 2025 due to potentially problematic behavior. It also eliminated millions of instances of child exploitation content across its platforms. Specifically in India, Meta said its detection systems targeted suspicious off-platform links, leading to 160,000 account removals over six months. The company’s advertising policies explicitly ban content related to child sexual exploitation.
Telegram also took action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement measures. During 2026, it eliminated more than 274,000 groups and channels associated with such content. Indian authorities continue to investigate how these prohibited ads managed to reach users through paid promotions on Instagram. The ongoing inquiry also examines whether platform controls adhered to legal standards. As of August 7, Meta acknowledged the presence of violating ads and stated that it had taken measures against related advertisements, accounts, and links.