India has mandated the removal of advertisements on Instagram that promote child sexual abuse content, following reports from state media alleging the platform facilitated the spread of exploitative material. The country’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a formal notice to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, as reported by the state broadcaster DD News.
The notice requires the immediate removal of all ads and content that promote or facilitate access to child sexual abuse material, with a request for a detailed explanation within seven days, according to DD News.
Attempts to contact representatives from India’s technology ministry, which oversees internet monitoring, after business hours were unsuccessful.
Meta stated it has a zero-tolerance policy for such content and is engaged in constructive discussions with India’s tech ministry, though no specific details were provided regarding the ads in question.
The company noted it employs advanced AI to proactively identify and remove harmful content, but acknowledged ongoing challenges as individuals attempt to evade detection among its 3.5 billion users.
These demands align with global efforts to strengthen protections for minors online, as countries increasingly pursue legal actions and implement age restrictions on social media platforms.
A BBC investigation identified at least 30 Instagram ads in India linking to child abuse imagery on Telegram. Examples included an ad featuring an older man with a child and another depicting children in sexual acts, though these claims could not be independently verified.
Meta reports removing 160,000 accounts in India over the past six months linked to illegal child content.
Telegram stated it has removed over 293,000 groups and channels this year related to child exploitation, citing its moderation tools’ effectiveness in curbing such content.
The social media company faces escalated scrutiny in the U.S. for youth safety policies, including a $375 million settlement in March after a jury found Meta misled users about platform safety and enabled child exploitation. Meta maintains its safety measures and intends to appeal the decision.
Growing international momentum supports age restrictions on social media, with nations like Britain, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Brazil, and EU members taking legislative steps to limit social media access for minors.
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