NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram ran paid ads in India that promoted access to child sexual abuse material. This prompted investigations from regulators and Meta. Some ads directed users to Telegram channels offering illegal content for payment. Authorities found around 30 distinct ads linked to such material. Several appeared from multiple advertiser accounts. Meta later confirmed these ads violated its child exploitation policies and removed additional ads, accounts, and links associated with the content.
Investigators set up an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles posting sexually suggestive content. Within days, paid ads for explicit adult material started appearing. Later, ads showed children in suggestive situations and directed viewers outside Instagram. Several links led to Telegram channels with illegal material, some costing as little as 99 rupees. The investigation revealed that prohibited content had entered Instagram’s advertising system despite the platform’s review and enforcement efforts.
One ad featuring a young child was flagged through Instagram’s built-in reporting tool. Initially, Instagram responded that the ad did not breach community standards. Later, Meta stated its systems had already detected some offending ads and disabled related accounts. After investigators presented additional findings, Meta reviewed more material. The company then removed further ads, shut down more accounts, and blocked URLs that violated its child sexual exploitation policies.
Indian authorities seek clarification on ad management
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded publicly in July after the findings emerged. The ministry ordered action against ads and content promoting access to child sexual exploitative and abusive material. It also asked for details on how such advertising bypassed Instagram’s safeguards. The government later stated it took the reports very seriously. Officials requested a detailed reply from the platform under India’s online safety and platform compliance laws.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also issued notices to social media companies. It later launched an investigation involving services owned by Meta. Indian law requires online intermediaries to address illegal material and content that could harm children. The Information Technology Act and related regulations define the responsibilities for major digital platforms operating within the country. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act provides additional safeguards against minors’ sexual exploitation and abuse.
Meta continues removing harmful content as inquiry persists
Meta states it relies on automated tools to spot suspicious activity involving children. The company reported deleting over 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide during 2025 for potentially suspicious behavior. It also removed millions of pieces of child exploitation content. In India, Meta said its systems targeting suspicious links outside the platform led to 160,000 account deletions over six months. Its advertising rules ban content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes children.
Telegram also removed channels linked to child sexual abuse material, identified through enforcement efforts. The company announced it deleted more than 274,000 groups and channels connected to such content during 2026. Indian authorities are investigating how prohibited ads reached users through paid promotions and if platform controls met legal standards. Meta admits that violating ads appeared and states it took action against related accounts, ads, and links. As of August 7, the Indian child protection investigation remains ongoing.