India Government Orders Meta to Remove Child Sex Abuse Ads on Instagram, Seeks Explanation

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a formal notice to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, over the use of its platform for advertising child sexual exploitative and abuse material (CSEAM). The notice, sent on Saturday, July 4, 2026, directs Instagram to immediately disable all advertisements and content that promote or facilitate access to CSEAM, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The government has demanded a detailed explanation from Meta within seven days. Additionally, MeitY has summoned Meta officials to discuss the issue, following a recent report highlighting the proliferation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) advertisements on Instagram in India. The development was confirmed by an official who stated that IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directed ministry officials to take this action.

This move underscores the government's commitment to protecting children online and enforcing strict compliance with Indian laws against child exploitation. The notice is part of broader efforts to hold social media platforms accountable for content hosted on their services. Meta, which operates Instagram, has not yet publicly responded to the notice.

India's digital landscape has seen increased scrutiny over platform responsibility, with the government pushing for stronger safeguards against harmful content. The notice to Meta is one of the most direct actions taken against a major tech company regarding child safety on social media.