Indian Government Orders Meta to Remove Illegal Instagram Ads
The Indian government has directed Meta to immediately remove advertisements and content on Instagram that promote or facilitate child abuse material. The action follows a BBC investigation that found paid Instagram ads in India linked to child exploitation.
The government has also asked Meta to explain within seven days how these advertisements were approved and allowed to appear on the platform.
Government Demands Immediate Action
A senior official from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the government has issued a formal notice directing Instagram to disable all advertisements and content that promote or provide access to child abuse material.
The ministry has also requested a detailed explanation from Meta about its advertising review process and how the prohibited ads passed moderation. read more
Meta Reaffirms Its Zero-Tolerance Policy
Meta says it has a zero-tolerance policy toward child abuse material, including content promoted through advertisements.
Company Says It Uses AI to Detect Harmful Content
Meta said it relies on advanced artificial intelligence to identify and remove harmful content. However, the company acknowledged that criminals continue trying to bypass its detection systems.
BBC Investigation Triggered Fresh Scrutiny
The government’s action comes after a BBC investigation found that Instagram displayed paid advertisements promoting child abuse material to an account created in India.
Investigation Revealed Links to Telegram Channels
The BBC created an Instagram account and followed several profiles featuring suggestive content. Within days, the account received advertisements containing adult content, followed by ads promoting child abuse material. Some of these advertisements directed users to Telegram channels where the illegal material was allegedly being sold.
Neither the Indian government nor Meta confirmed whether the official notice was issued directly because of the BBC investigation. know more
Meta Denies Prioritising Revenue Over User Safety
Meta says it continues to invest in protecting users and removing harmful content from its platforms.
Company Rejects Allegations
The company described child exploitation as a serious crime and said it actively works to detect and remove such material. Meta also denied knowingly displaying advertisements promoting child exploitation or putting advertising revenue ahead of user safety.
