India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a formal notice to Meta on July 5, 2026, following a BBC investigation that revealed Instagram displayed paid advertisements promoting child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The government directed Meta to immediately remove all such content and provide detailed explanations within seven days, warning that failure to comply could result in legal action under Indian information technology laws.
The BBC World Service investigation, published on July 4, 2026, documented advertisements containing phrases designed to promote access to illegal child sexual abuse material. Some advertisements allegedly directed users to external platforms, including Telegram channels, where sellers offered such material at prices as low as Rs 99. The investigation found that these advertisements cleared Instagram’s automated moderation systems before appearing on the platform in India.
India’s government treated the matter as a serious violation of child safety principles. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directed ministry officials to summon Meta representatives and issue immediate notice. The government demanded that Meta explain how such content passed through its moderation processes and detail the safeguards the company plans to implement to prevent similar incidents.
The notice specifically raised concerns about algorithmic amplification of child exploitation content. Sources indicated the government questioned whether Instagram’s recommendation algorithms inadvertently increased visibility of harmful material. The government instructed Meta to address algorithmic issues alongside content removal.
Meta responded quickly to the BBC investigation and government notice. The company removed the advertisements, suspended the accounts responsible for posting them, and blocked related URLs. Meta stated it continues using automated systems to detect and remove policy-violating advertisements. The company also noted that users can report advertisements they believe breach platform rules.
India maintains a zero-tolerance approach toward child sexual abuse material. The government requires online platforms to promptly detect, remove, and report such content while strengthening digital safeguards for children. Authorities have repeatedly warned technology companies that failures to address harmful content invite regulatory scrutiny and legal consequences.
The action against Meta represents broader enforcement of India’s information technology rules. The government has previously blocked websites containing child sexual abuse material using lists provided by Interpol through India’s Central Bureau of Investigation. This notice signals India’s commitment to holding global technology companies accountable for content moderation failures that affect Indian users.
The BBC-reported incident also highlights ongoing regulatory pressure Meta faces in India. The company received a separate government notice on July 2, 2026, regarding a proposed username feature on WhatsApp that officials said could increase fraud and impersonation attacks.
