MeitY Orders Meta to Scrub Instagram Ads Promoting Child Sexual Abuse Material

New Delhi (IANS): The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered Instagram to remove all content that facilitates access to child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM).

Sources reveal that the government issued a formal notice to Meta after uncovering paid advertisements on Instagram linked to child exploitation. The ministry has demanded a detailed response from the tech giant within seven days.

Failure to comply could trigger legal action under both the Information Technology Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Government officials are demanding immediate corrective action against the platform’s “algorithmic amplification” of child abuse content.

BBC Investigation Exposes Major Safeguard Gaps

The government’s crackdown follows a recent BBC investigation, which alleged that Meta’s recommendation algorithm actively promoted videos containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The report exposed serious gaps in Meta’s safety protocols, revealing that these illicit advertisements appeared on both Facebook and Instagram—directly violating Meta’s own advertising policies against nudity and sexually explicit content.

According to the allegations, Instagram approved paid advertisements featuring search terms like “rape video” and “child video.” These ads successfully directed users to external Telegram channels where operators reportedly sold the explicit content.

The government’s notice demands clear answers on:

• How Meta’s review systems approved these advertisements in the first place.
• What immediate corrective measures Meta has taken since the allegations surfaced.
• What concrete safeguards the company plans to implement to prevent future incidents.

Officials have made it clear that Meta cannot hide behind safe-harbour intermediary protections when paid advertisements are involved.

“If the allegations are found to be true, they will be held accountable for the advertisements, for which the platform receives revenue,” a government source stated.

Section 67B of the IT Act prescribes stringent criminal punishment for anyone publishing or transmitting electronic content that depicts children in sexually explicit acts.

IT Minister Directs Ministry to Summon Meta Officials

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has directed MeitY to summon Meta officials over the controversial Instagram ads.

Sources state that the ministry will force the US-based tech giant to explain how its platform hosted these ads and outline its current safeguards. Officials will also dissect Meta’s content moderation mechanisms, advertisement review processes, and enforcement strategies against illegal content.

Meta has not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter.

WhatsApp Pauses Username Rollout in India Amid Government Concerns

This clash comes just days after the Indian government halted WhatsApp’s upcoming username rollout.

Responding to government concerns, WhatsApp clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the username feature will remain entirely optional. The company reiterated that it has built-in robust safeguards to prevent impersonation, scams, and unwanted contact ahead of its wider rollout later this year.

The government has asked WhatsApp to defer the rollout pending further official consultations. To combat impersonation, WhatsApp confirmed that it has already reserved existing Instagram and Facebook usernames—along with handles for public figures, celebrities, government entities, and Meta Verified accounts—so only legitimate owners can claim them.