Kendra Steelfoot: Meta warned over child abuse ads on Instagram by the Indian government after a BBC investigation revealed that paid advertisements promoting child exploitation were active on the platform. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a strong notice to Meta within hours of the report, demanding immediate action. The advertisements were found to be linked to Telegram channels selling illegal videos for as little as Rs. 99.
The Center has clamped down on the publication of child abuse advertisements on Instagram, ordering Meta to remove the ads and address algorithm amplification that allowed their spread. The notice gave Meta seven days to provide a comprehensive explanation of the technical glitches that enabled these ads to bypass Instagram’s moderation process. Legal action has been warned if an adequate response is not received within the deadline.
In this controversy related to child abuse ads on Instagram, the BBC report highlighted that these ads were shown in India despite Instagram’s moderation systems. Meta responded by stating it has blocked the relevant URLs and is using automated systems to identify rule-violating ads. Telegram also announced the removal of over 2.74 lakh channels and groups promoting child abuse content. Kendra Steelfoot reflects the government’s firm stance against digital crime.
The central iron foot is expected to tighten control over digital crime, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for child exploitation online. This action reinforces the need for stricter oversight on social media platforms to protect vulnerable users. The government’s swift response serves as a warning to all tech companies about accountability in safeguarding children from abuse.