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The sources said Meta’s agreement to report such child safety-related matters to law enforcement is a “first step” and stressed that “much more needs to be done”
A media probe had found 30 unique advertisements on Instagram in India that allegedly used terms related to child sexual abuse and directed users towards Telegram channels offering such material.
Meta has agreed to report child safety-related matters, including those involving child sexual abuse, to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, government sources told CNN-News18 on Tuesday, as the Centre steps up its efforts to make social media platforms safer for children.
The government said it has been continuously engaging with social media platforms to curb harmful information and made it clear that online safety of children is a “fundamental principle” for any social media platform operating in India.
“Online safety of children is a fundamental principle for any social media to operate in India and it is non-negotiable,” the sources said.
ALSO READ | Instagram, Facebook & CSAM: How Meta Detects, Removes Child Sexual Abuse Material, Explained
The development comes amid the Centre’s sustained scrutiny of Meta-owned Instagram over allegations that advertisements promoting or facilitating access to child sexual abuse material had appeared on the platform.
The sources said Meta’s agreement to report such child safety-related matters to law enforcement is a “first step” and stressed that “much more needs to be done”. They also said the government remained engaged with other social media platforms to ensure that such content is proactively identified and removed.
“Government shall take action against platforms which do not take proactive steps for safety of children,” the sources added.
What Triggered The Centre’s Action Against Meta?
The latest development follows a controversy over paid advertisements on Instagram that allegedly promoted child sexual exploitation and abuse material.
A BBC investigation had reported finding around 30 unique advertisements on Instagram in India that allegedly used terms related to child sexual abuse and directed users towards Telegram channels offering such material.
Following the reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a notice to Meta and directed Instagram to disable advertisements and content promoting or facilitating access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The government also sought a detailed explanation from Meta on how such advertisements were allowed on the platform.
The Centre’s action came amid growing concerns over whether social media platforms were doing enough to detect and prevent the circulation and promotion of such material.
Meta Denied Deliberately Targeting Users
Meta, while acknowledging that some Instagram advertisements had violated its policies, rejected the suggestion that it had knowingly or deliberately targeted users with such content.
In a July statement, the company said it was “categorically inaccurate” to suggest that it knowingly and deliberately targeted advertisements featuring children at people based on an inappropriate interest in children.
Meta said it had removed violating advertisements, disabled accounts and blocked URLs linked to policy-violating content after its investigation. The company also said its systems had already identified and disabled several of the offending ads and accounts before the issue was brought to its attention.
Meta has also maintained that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards child exploitation and uses artificial intelligence and other technology to detect suspicious activity and violating content.
NCPCR, NHRC Also Stepped In
The issue subsequently came under scrutiny from child rights and human rights bodies.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) summoned Meta India officials over the allegations concerning child sexual exploitation and abuse material on Instagram. Meta India officials appeared before the commission on September 9 as part of the inquiry.
The National Human Rights Commission has also sought Action Taken Reports from MeitY, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Delhi Police over allegations involving paid Instagram advertisements linked to child sexual abuse material.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The Indian government pressured Meta following a BBC investigation that found around 30 unique advertisements on Instagram in India. These paid advertisements allegedly used terms related to child sexual abuse and directed users to Telegram channels offering child sexual exploitation and abuse material. In response, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a notice directing Instagram to disable this content and demanded a detailed explanation from Meta.
Ask News18September 15, 2026, 09:04 IST
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