The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a notice to Meta after reports alleged that paid advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were displayed on Instagram.
According to PTI, the ministry has directed Meta to immediately remove all advertisements and content found to be promoting or facilitating access to such material. The company has also been asked to submit a detailed explanation within seven days.
The action follows instructions from Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, who asked officials to investigate how such advertisements were approved and served on the platform. The incident has raised questions over Meta’s advertising review systems and its content moderation practices.
The notice adds to the growing regulatory scrutiny Meta has faced in India in recent days. Earlier this week, the government reportedly sought clarification from the company over WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, citing concerns that it could increase the risk of impersonation, PTI reported.
The latest development comes after reports claimed that Instagram carried paid advertisements promoting or enabling access to child sexual abuse material, triggering concerns about the effectiveness of the platform’s safeguards and enforcement mechanisms. Through its notice, MeitY has sought accountability from Meta while directing the company to take immediate corrective action against any content or advertisements that violate child safety norms.
The government has indicated that it expects a comprehensive response from Meta outlining the steps taken to remove the offending content, strengthen its review processes, and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
