NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram reportedly ran paid ads in India that promoted access to child sexual abuse material, according to findings released in July. Some of these ads directed users from Instagram to Telegram channels where illegal content was available for purchase. Meta Platforms later admitted that the ads violated its policies concerning child exploitation. The report prompted Indian authorities to take action and raised concerns about the enforcement of advertising policies within Instagram’s paid promotion system. Since then, India has requested explanations from Meta and intensified official scrutiny of the issue.
In an effort to investigate, officials created an anonymous Instagram account in India to monitor sexually explicit content on the platform. The account followed 10 profiles that featured sexually suggestive posts. Within a few days, Instagram displayed paid advertisements promoting adult pornography on the account. Subsequent ads included images of children in suggestive situations and links to Telegram channels. Authorities documented roughly 30 distinct advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material, some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. These channels offered access to illegal content starting at 99 rupees.
Instagram claims to review advertisements prior to their publication using both automated and manual methods. Investigators reported one instance of a child being directly involved in an ad, which was flagged through Instagram’s reporting system. The platform responded approximately 24 hours later, stating that the ad did not breach its community standards. Meta later stated that its systems had already detected several violating ads and had disabled related accounts. After further review, the company removed additional ads, deactivated more accounts, and blocked URLs linked to content that contravened its policies.
India mandates platform accountability and demands explanations
Meta indicated that it employs technology to identify accounts displaying potentially suspicious activity involving minors. The company reported that in 2025, it automatically removed over 4 million suspicious Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide, along with 36 million pieces of content related to child exploitation. In India alone, Meta stated that detection efforts involving suspicious off-platform links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. The company also highlighted that from October to December 2025, it eliminated 13 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content globally.
Following the July revelation of the Instagram ad findings, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by seeking information from Meta regarding the ads and the review mechanisms involved. On July 22, the Indian government announced it had taken serious note of reports linking ads to child sexual abuse material and requested a detailed report from the concerned intermediary. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to relevant social media platforms and subsequently launched an inquiry into the allegations involving Meta-owned services.
Broader investigation into child protection expands
India’s online regulation framework is established under the Information Technology Act and the 2021 Information Technology Rules, which require platforms to exercise due diligence when handling harmful or unlawful content. These regulations also mandate that platforms alert users against sharing material that could harm children or breach Indian law. Child sexual abuse material is protected under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta asserts that it reports suspected child exploitation via formal channels, which are designed to notify Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram reported removing over 274,000 groups and channels connected to child sexual abuse content during 2026. Meta maintains strict policies against advertisements that exploit, endanger, or sexualize children, with ongoing review of advertisers after campaigns start. The ongoing investigation by Indian authorities now encompasses allegations that child sexual abuse and exploitative ads appeared on Meta’s platforms. As of August 7, authorities continue to scrutinize the situation under India’s child-protection and online-safety regulations.