India’s government has taken a firm stand against Instagram ads promoting illegal content. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered Meta to remove ads linked to child sexual abuse material immediately.
This came after a BBC Eye investigation revealed Instagram was running paid ads in India that promoted such content. The ads reportedly used explicit search terms like “rape video” and “child video.” These ads led users to Telegram channels selling illegal content for as little as ₹99.
India’s IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “We have zero tolerance for child sexual abuse material and will not hesitate to take strict measures against platforms that fail to act.” The government demanded Meta explain how these ads passed automated moderation.
Meta, which has 3.5 billion users, responded by disabling several ads and suspending accounts involved. It also blocked URLs linked to the illegal content. However, some Telegram channels distributing this material remain active despite increased scrutiny.
Telegram said it removed over 274,000 groups and channels related to child sexual abuse material in 2026. Still, the presence of such content on paid ads raises questions about the effectiveness of automated moderation systems.
Legal and Regulatory Pressure on Meta
Under Indian law, publishing or transmitting child sexual abuse material online is a criminal offense. Section 67B of the IT Act explicitly prohibits such content.
The government reminded online platforms of their responsibility to prevent the circulation of harmful content. This includes content spread through paid advertisements, which generate significant revenue for companies like Meta.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology gave Meta seven days to provide a detailed report. Meta must explain how the ads were approved and outline safeguards to prevent future lapses.
Wider Implications for Social Media Platforms
This incident has heightened scrutiny on how social media platforms detect and remove harmful content. Meta’s systems rely on automated checks before ads go live. Yet, these safeguards failed in this case.
The government also demanded corrective action against algorithmic amplification. This means Meta must ensure its algorithms do not promote or boost illegal content unknowingly.
India’s firm response signals a broader push for accountability. Platforms hosting billions of users cannot overlook the risks tied to paid advertisements. Failure to act will trigger strict government measures.
The crackdown comes amid other major national events. India and Japan prepare to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations next year. Prime Minister Modi is set to visit Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand in July. Meanwhile, India approved a ₹52,000 crore military procurement deal and launched the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.
Despite these diverse priorities, protecting children online remains a top focus. The government’s zero-tolerance message to Meta and others is clear: illegal content will not be allowed, no matter where it appears.
Based on
- India orders Meta to remove Instagram ads promoting child abuse material — thenextweb.com
- India Summons Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting Child Sexual Abuse Material: Government Seeks Urgent Explanation — gulfnews.com
- India Seeks Answers From Meta Over Instagram Child Abuse Ad Claims – indica News — indicanews.com
- ‘Stop the ads immediately’: Centre’s stern warning to Meta over child abuse content | India News – The Times of India — timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- India’s IT Minister Orders Meta to Address Instagram Abuse Ads — indianewsnetwork.com
