Government Summons Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting Child Sexual Abuse Material

By Mahima Katal

New Delhi, July 4: The Central government has intensified its scrutiny of Meta after reports that advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) appeared on Instagram. According to sources, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to summon Meta and seek an explanation over the issue.

The development follows a BBC investigation, which alleged that Meta's recommendation algorithm promoted videos containing child sexual abuse material and that advertisements linked to such content appeared on both Facebook and Instagram. The findings have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of Meta's content moderation systems and compliance with child safety standards.

Second Government Action Against Meta This Week

The move marks the second instance this week in which the Centre has taken action against Meta.

Earlier, the government issued a notice questioning WhatsApp's proposed username feature, expressing concerns that it could facilitate cybercrimes such as phishing, impersonation, online fraud, and so-called "digital arrest" scams. Meta was directed to suspend the rollout of the feature until consultations with the government are completed. Authorities also warned that legal action under the Information Technology Act and intermediary rules could be initiated if the company fails to address these concerns.

Why the CSAM Allegations Matter

The latest controversy involves one of the most serious categories of illegal online content. Child sexual abuse material is prohibited under Indian law as well as international legal frameworks. Social media platforms operating in India are required to remove such content promptly, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and implement effective mechanisms to prevent its dissemination.

If advertisements promoting or linked to CSAM are found to have appeared on Meta's platforms, regulators may examine whether the company fulfilled its due diligence obligations under India's intermediary rules and whether its recommendation and advertising systems adequately prevented the distribution of illegal content.

Growing Regulatory Pressure

The government's latest action reflects increasing regulatory oversight of large technology companies in India. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that significant social media intermediaries must strengthen content moderation, improve user safety, and ensure compliance with Indian laws, particularly where child protection and cybersecurity are concerned.

Meta had not publicly responded to the government's move or the BBC investigation at the time of publication.

The Bigger Picture

The case highlights broader global concerns over algorithm-driven content recommendations and the responsibility of technology companies to detect and prevent the spread of illegal material. It also signals that Indian regulators are likely to adopt a more interventionist approach when platform policies or technological features are perceived to pose risks to public safety or child protection.

If the allegations are substantiated, the matter could lead to further regulatory scrutiny, enforcement action, and renewed debate over platform accountability and intermediary liability in India.