The Indian government has ordered Meta to immediately disable all paid advertisements on Instagram that promote or facilitate access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a senior official confirmed to the BBC on Monday.
The directive follows a BBC Eye investigation that revealed Instagram had been running paid adverts promoting CSAM in India. The ads used search terms including "rape" and "child video" and directed users to Telegram channels where the material was offered for sale.
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a stern notice to Meta, demanding a detailed explanation within seven days on how such content was allowed through the platform's advertising systems.
"The government has ordered Instagram to disable all ads and content promoting or facilitating access to such material," the official said.
Meta responded that it maintains a "zero-tolerance policy" for soliciting or sharing CSAM, including in ads. The company stated it uses "advanced AI technology to proactively detect violating content and individuals" but acknowledged a "constant battle with criminals who hide among our 3.5 billion users."
The BBC's investigation set up a new alias Instagram account in India that followed just 10 suggestive profiles. Within a week, the account was shown paid adverts featuring adult pornography. Days later, it was also served adverts promoting CSAM.
Telegram said it had removed more than 274,000 groups and channels related to CSAM in 2026.
The order escalates a growing global reckoning for social media platforms over child safety. Meta is already facing regulatory pressure in Europe and the United States over its approach to protecting minors on Instagram, and this Indian order — from one of the company's largest markets — adds significant new pressure ahead of potential regulatory reform in the country.
