NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram has been found to run paid ads in India that promote access to child sexual abuse material, according to a report published in July. Some of these advertisements directed users from Instagram to Telegram channels offering illegal content for sale. Meta Platforms later confirmed that these ads broke its policies against child exploitation. The revelations prompted Indian authorities to take action and sparked questions about how effectively Instagram’s paid advertising system enforces such policies. Since then, India has requested explanations from Meta and intensified its official investigation into the issue.
To examine the presence of sexually explicit content, investigators created an anonymous Instagram account in India. This account followed 10 profiles that posted sexually suggestive material. Within a few days, Instagram displayed paid advertisements promoting adult pornography to this account. Subsequent ads showed children in sexually provocative situations and linked to Telegram channels. Authorities documented roughly 30 distinct ads promoting child sexual abuse content, some of which appeared through multiple advertiser accounts. These channels offered illegal content starting at prices of 99 rupees.
Instagram employs both automated tools and manual review processes to scrutinize advertisements before they are published. Investigators reported one ad involving a young child that was flagged through Instagram’s reporting system. The platform responded approximately 24 hours later, asserting that the ad did not breach community standards. Meta later stated that its systems had already identified several offending ads and disabled related accounts. After further review, the company removed additional ads, deactivated more accounts, and blocked URLs linked to content that violated its policies.
India demands platform accountability and clarification
Meta indicated it employs technology to detect accounts exhibiting suspicious activity related to children. The company reported that more than 4 million such accounts were automatically removed globally during 2025, alongside 36 million pieces of content related to child exploitation. In India, Meta claimed that detection efforts targeting suspicious off-platform links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. Additionally, it reported removing 13 million items of child sexual exploitation content worldwide from October to December 2025.
Following the July publication of the Instagram advertising investigation, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology took action. Authorities requested detailed information from Meta regarding the ads and their review processes. On July 22, the Indian government announced it had taken serious note of reports involving child sexual abuse material ads and asked for a comprehensive 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 allegations involving Meta’s services.
Broader child protection inquiry intensifies scrutiny
India’s regulatory framework for online intermediaries is governed by the Information Technology Act and the 2021 Information Technology Rules. These regulations require platforms to exercise due diligence when dealing with illegal or harmful content and to inform users about sharing material that endangers children or breaches Indian law. Child sexual abuse material is also protected under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta states it reports suspected child exploitation through established channels, which ultimately notify Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram reported removing over 274,000 groups and channels linked to child sexual abuse content in 2026. Meta continues to enforce policies that prohibit advertisements exploiting, endangering, or sexualizing minors. The platform also reviews advertiser accounts even after ads are active. The current Indian child rights investigation now includes allegations of child sexual exploitation and abuse advertisements on Meta-owned platforms. As of August 7, authorities remain examining the case under India’s child protection and online safety laws.