NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram was found to have run paid ads in India that promoted access to child sexual abuse material, according to the findings published in July. Several of these advertisements directed users from Instagram to Telegram channels that offered illegal content for sale. Meta Platforms later admitted that the ads violated its policies against child exploitation. The discovery prompted action from Indian authorities and raised questions regarding enforcement within Instagram’s paid advertising platform. Since then, India has requested explanations from Meta and intensified official scrutiny of the issue.
To investigate sexually explicit content on the platform, investigators created a fake Instagram account in India. This account followed 10 profiles featuring sexually suggestive posts. Within days, Instagram served this account with paid advertisements promoting adult pornography. Later, ads appeared showing children in sexually suggestive situations and linking to Telegram channels. Researchers documented approximately 30 distinct ads promoting child sexual abuse material, some of which appeared through multiple advertiser accounts. The linked channels offered illegal content for prices starting at 99 rupees.
Instagram employs both automated systems and manual checks to review advertisements before they go live. Investigators reported noticing one advertisement involving a young child directly via Instagram’s reporting system. The platform responded roughly 24 hours later, stating that the ad did not violate community standards. Meta later announced that its systems had already identified several ads in violation and had disabled related accounts. After further review of additional findings, the company removed more ads, deactivated additional accounts, and blocked URLs connected to policy-violating content.
India demands platform accountability and detailed explanations
Meta stated it employs technology to detect accounts with potentially suspicious activity involving children. The company reported the global removal of over 4 million suspicious Facebook and Instagram accounts in 2025. It also eliminated 36 million pieces of content related to child exploitation during the same period. In India, Meta noted that detection of suspicious off-platform links contributed to the removal of 160,000 accounts over six months. Additionally, the company said it deleted 13 million items of child sexual exploitation content worldwide from October to December 2025.
Following the public disclosure of the Instagram advertising investigation in July, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology took action. Authorities requested information from Meta regarding the advertisements and the review measures employed. On July 22, the Indian government announced it had taken serious note of reports involving ads linked to child sexual abuse material and sought a comprehensive report from the intermediary involved. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to relevant social media platforms and later launched an inquiry into the allegations against Meta’s services.
Expanded child protection probe and ongoing investigations
India’s regulation of online intermediaries is governed by the Information Technology Act and the Information Technology Rules introduced in 2021. These regulations require platforms to exercise due diligence in managing unlawful or harmful content and to warn users against sharing material that endangers children or breaches Indian law. Child sexual abuse material is protected under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta claims it reports suspected child exploitation through established channels that ultimately notify Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram reported removing over 274,000 groups and channels associated with child sexual abuse material during 2026. Meta’s policies prohibit advertisements that sexually exploit, endanger, or sexualize children, and it states that advertisers are subject to review even after ads are active. The Indian child-rights inquiry now extends to allegations that child exploitative and abusive ads appeared on Meta-owned platforms. As of August 7, authorities continue to examine the case within India’s child-protection and online-safety framework.