NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – Paid Instagram advertisements in India promoted access to child sexual abuse material through links that led users outside the platform. Investigators documented about 30 separate ads connected to such content. Several ads directed users to Telegram channels where illegal material was offered for payment. Some listings started at 99 rupees. Meta later confirmed that the advertisements violated its child exploitation policies and removed further ads, accounts and associated links.
Investigators created an Instagram account in India and followed 10 profiles carrying sexually suggestive posts. The platform soon began serving paid advertisements for explicit adult content. Later ads featured children in sexually suggestive settings and included links to Telegram. Some advertiser accounts ran more than one version of the material. The findings showed that prohibited content had entered Instagram’s commercial advertising system despite screening measures designed to identify policy violations before or after publication.
Investigators also reported one advertisement involving a young child through Instagram’s own reporting system. Instagram initially replied that the ad did not breach its community standards. Meta later said its automated systems had already detected several offending advertisements and disabled related accounts. After receiving more information, Meta removed additional ads and blocked URLs linked to the material. The company said its rules prohibit advertising that exploits, endangers or sexualizes children.
Indian regulators press Meta over safeguards
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responded after the findings became public in July. The ministry directed Meta to act against advertisements and content promoting access to child sexual exploitative and abuse material. Officials also sought details about how the advertisements passed Instagram’s safeguards. The Indian government later said it had taken serious note of the reports. Authorities requested a detailed response from the intermediary under the country’s online safety and compliance rules.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights separately issued notices to social media platforms over the matter. It later opened an inquiry involving services owned by Meta. Indian law requires online intermediaries to address unlawful content involving children. The Information Technology Act and related rules define duties for large digital platforms operating in the country. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act also provides criminal safeguards against sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors.
Enforcement records draw wider scrutiny
Meta says it uses automated systems to identify accounts showing suspicious activity involving children. The company reported removing more than 4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts worldwide during 2025 for potentially suspicious behavior. It also removed millions of pieces of child exploitation content across its services. In India, Meta said detection systems focused on suspicious off-platform links contributed to 160,000 account removals during a six-month period. Its advertising standards expressly ban content connected to child sexual exploitation.
Telegram also removed channels linked to child sexual abuse material identified through enforcement efforts. The company said it removed more than 274,000 groups and channels connected to such material during 2026. Indian authorities continue examining how prohibited advertisements reached users through paid Instagram promotions. The inquiry also covers whether platform controls complied with legal requirements. As of August 7, Meta had acknowledged the violating ads and said it had acted against associated advertisements, accounts and links.