NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Instagram has been found to run paid advertisements in India that promote access to child sexual abuse material, according to a report published in July. Some of these ads directed users from Instagram to Telegram channels offering illegal content for sale. Meta Platforms later confirmed that these ads violated its policies against child exploitation. The findings prompted Indian authorities to take action and raised concerns about enforcement within Instagram’s paid advertising system. India has since requested explanations from Meta and increased official scrutiny of the issue.
Investigators created an anonymous Instagram account in India to monitor sexually explicit content on the platform. The account followed 10 profiles featuring suggestive posts. Within days, Instagram served the account paid ads for adult pornography. Later, ads showed minors in suggestive situations and linked to Telegram channels. The investigators documented around 30 unique ads promoting child sexual abuse material, with some appearing through multiple advertiser accounts. These channels offered illegal content starting at 99 rupees.
Instagram employs automated systems and manual checks to review ads before they go live. Investigators reported one ad involving a young child that was directly flagged through Instagram’s reporting system. The platform responded approximately 24 hours later, stating the ad did not breach community standards. Meta later indicated that its systems had already identified several violating 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 explanations
Meta said it employs technology to detect accounts showing suspicious activity involving children. The company reported removing more than 4 million suspicious Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide in 2025. Additionally, 36 million pieces of child exploitation content were taken down that year. In India, Meta stated that detection efforts related to off-platform links led to 160,000 account removals over six months. The company also claimed it removed 13 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content globally from October to December 2025.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded after the July public disclosure of the Instagram ad findings. Authorities requested details from Meta regarding the advertisements and their review processes. On July 22, the Indian government announced it had taken serious note of reports linking ads to child sexual abuse material and sought a detailed report from the concerned intermediary. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notices to relevant social media platforms and launched an inquiry into the allegations involving Meta services.
Expanded investigations into child protection concerns
India’s online intermediary regulations are governed by the Information Technology Act and the 2021 Information Technology Rules. These require platforms to exercise due diligence in managing unlawful or harmful content and to warn users against sharing material that harms children or breaches Indian law. Child sexual abuse material is protected under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meta states it reports suspected child exploitation via established channels that notify Indian cybercrime authorities when necessary.
Telegram reported removing over 274,000 groups and channels linked to child sexual abuse content during 2026. Meta’s policies explicitly ban ads that sexually exploit, endanger, or sexualize minors. The company also reviews advertisers after ads go live. The ongoing Indian inquiry now focuses on allegations that such exploitative ads appeared on Meta platforms. As of August 7, authorities continue to scrutinize the case under India’s child protection and online safety regulations.