NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – In India, investigators uncovered paid Instagram advertisements that facilitated access to child sexual abuse material by directing users to external links. The investigation identified approximately 30 separate ads linked to such illegal content. Several of these ads led users to Telegram channels where unlawful material was available for purchase, with some listings priced starting at 99 rupees. Meta subsequently confirmed that these ads violated its policies on child exploitation and took steps to remove the offending advertisements, accounts, and associated links.
To gather evidence, investigators created an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles containing sexually suggestive posts. Shortly after, the platform began serving paid advertisements featuring explicit adult content. Later, some ads displayed minors in sexually suggestive scenarios and included links to Telegram. Several advertiser accounts posted multiple versions of such material. These findings indicate that prohibited content infiltrated Instagram’s commercial advertising ecosystem despite existing screening measures intended to flag policy violations either pre- or post-publication.
Further investigation revealed a report of a single advertisement involving a minor through Instagram’s own reporting system. Initially, Instagram responded by claiming that the ad did not breach its community standards. However, Meta later stated that its automated detection systems had already identified several offending ads and disabled related accounts. After analyzing additional data, Meta removed more ads and blocked URLs linked to the illegal material. The company reaffirmed that its policies strictly prohibit advertising that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Indian authorities push Meta to tighten platform safeguards
Following the public disclosure of these findings in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a response. The ministry instructed Meta to take action against advertisements and content that promote access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. Officials also demanded explanations on how such advertisements bypassed Instagram’s safety mechanisms. The Indian government later emphasized its serious concern regarding these reports and called for a detailed response from the platform under the country’s online safety and compliance regulations.
Additionally, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to social media platforms regarding the issue. It subsequently launched an investigation involving services operated by Meta. Indian law mandates that online intermediaries address illegal content involving minors, with the Information Technology Act and related regulations outlining their responsibilities. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act further establishes criminal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Broader scrutiny over enforcement efforts intensifies
Meta states that it relies on automated systems to detect accounts engaging in suspicious activities related to children. The company reported that during 2025, it removed over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide for potentially suspicious behavior, along with millions of instances of child exploitation content across its platforms. In India, detection systems targeting suspicious off-platform links led to the removal of approximately 160,000 accounts over a six-month span. The company’s advertising policies explicitly prohibit content related to child sexual exploitation.
Telegram also took action by removing channels associated with child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement activities. During 2026, it eliminated more than 274,000 groups and channels linked to such content. Indian authorities continue to examine how prohibited advertisements managed to reach users via paid promotions on Instagram. The ongoing investigation also considers whether the platform’s control measures met legal standards. As of August 7, Meta confirmed the existence of violating ads and stated that it had taken measures to remove related ads, accounts, and links.