Centre orders Meta to disable Instagram ads linked to child sexual abuse material

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a notice to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, directing it to immediately remove all paid advertisements on the platform that promote or facilitate access to child sexual abuse material, government sources confirmed.

The notice follows an investigation by the BBC World Service, which found that Instagram has been running advertisements containing phrases such as “rape video” and “child video”. These ads, according to the BBC, direct users to channels on the messaging app Telegram where such content can be purchased for as low as Rs 99.

In its order, MeitY stated: “MeitY has ordered Instagram to disable all ads and content promoting and facilitating access to Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM).” The ministry has also demanded a detailed explanation from Meta within seven days.

The development underscores the government’s commitment to protecting children from online exploitation. The Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) prohibit the dissemination of child sexual abuse material, and the government has previously warned social media platforms to adhere to Indian laws.

A Meta spokesperson said the company has “zero tolerance” for child exploitation and has invested heavily in technology and teams to prevent such content. The company added that it is reviewing the notice and will cooperate with authorities.

The BBC’s investigation highlighted a disturbing loophole in Instagram’s advertising algorithms, which allowed these ads to appear despite the platform’s stated policies against content that endangers children. The ads reportedly used coded language and imagery to evade automated detection systems.

Child rights activists have welcomed the government’s swift action, but called for more stringent oversight of social media platforms. They argue that the problem of child sexual abuse material is global and requires coordinated efforts between governments and tech companies.

As of now, Instagram has not confirmed whether the specified ads have been taken down. The company has seven days to respond to the ministry’s notice, failing which it may face legal consequences under Indian law.