NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid promotions in India that facilitated access to child sexual abuse content, prompting responses from regulators and Meta. Several of these advertisements directed users to Telegram channels that provided illegal material for payment. Authorities uncovered approximately 30 distinct ads linked to such illicit content, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later acknowledged that these ads broke its policies on child exploitation and took action by removing additional ads, accounts, and links associated with the material.
To investigate, authorities created an Instagram profile in India and followed 10 profiles containing sexually suggestive posts. Within days, paid advertisements promoting explicit adult content began appearing. Subsequent ads depicted children in sexually provocative contexts and directed viewers outside Instagram. Several links led to Telegram channels offering illegal material for as little as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that prohibited content had infiltrated Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement mechanisms.
One ad involving a young child was flagged through Instagram’s internal reporting tool. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not breach its community standards. However, Meta later confirmed that its systems had detected some offending advertisements and disabled accounts associated with them. After investigators presented further findings, the company reviewed additional content, removing more ads, deactivating additional accounts, and blocking URLs that violated its policies on child sexual exploitation.
Indian authorities demand clarity on advertising oversight
Following the release of the investigation results in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded by taking action against advertisements and content promoting access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. It also inquired about how such advertising bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later stated it had taken the reports seriously and requested a detailed explanation from the platform under India’s online safety and platform compliance framework.
Additionally, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to social media companies regarding this issue. It subsequently launched an inquiry involving services operated by Meta. Indian legislation mandates that online intermediaries address unlawful and harmful content targeting children. The Information Technology Act and its associated rules impose obligations on major digital platforms within the country. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act further enhances legal protections against sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors.
Meta’s removal efforts and ongoing child protection probe
Meta states that it employs automated detection systems to flag accounts exhibiting suspicious activity related to children. The company reported removing over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts globally during 2025 due to potentially suspicious behavior. It also eliminated millions of pieces of content related to child exploitation across its platforms. In India, Meta’s systems targeting suspicious off-platform links led to the removal of 160,000 accounts over a six-month span. Its advertising policies strictly prohibit any content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Telegram also took action by removing channels linked to child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement efforts. During 2026, the company reported deleting more than 274,000 groups and channels connected to such material. Indian authorities continue to scrutinize how illicit advertisements managed to reach users through paid promotions and whether platform controls adhered to legal standards. Meta admits that some violating ads appeared and states it has acted against related accounts, advertisements, and links. As of August 7, the Indian child protection inquiry remains active.