The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in India is taking action against Meta following alarming reports regarding advertisements for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Instagram. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has instructed officials to summon representatives from Meta to address issue, as the government seeks accountability over the disturbing content that has surfaced on platform .
A recent investigation by the BBC revealed that users were exposed to more than two dozen ads promoting CSAM,many of which included links to Telegram channels . This revelation has raised significant concerns about the effectiveness of Meta's content moderation practices. An official from ministry confirmed that the summons aims to seek an explanation from Meta regarding these advertisements.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Meta reiterated the company's commitment to combating CSAM, stating that it employs advanced artificial intelligence to detect and remove such content. The spokesperson emphasized ongoing challenge of dealing with criminals who attempt to evade detection among platform's vast user base of 3.5 billion. “We are in constant battle with criminals who hide among our users,” the spokesperson said, highlighting the company's efforts to enhance its defenses and collaborate with other organizations to combat this issue .
Despite these assurances,the presence of CSAM advertisements on Instagram raises serious questions about the platform's safety measures. The IT Ministry's summons comes amid growing scrutiny of social media companies and their responsibilities in preventing spread of harmful content.
Separately,Meta has been in discussions with IT Ministry regarding a new username feature for WhatsApp,which officials fear could facilitate fraud. ministry has expressed concerns that this feature might enable impersonation while protecting scammers' identities,complicating efforts to trace illicit activities. IT Secretary S. Krishnan indicated that WhatsApp would need to provide a detailed written explanation of the feature,with a deadline set for Saturday,July 4, 2026.
As the IT Ministry continues to address these pressing issues,the scrutiny on Meta's practices is likely to intensify. The government's proactive stance reflects a broader commitment to ensuring the safety of users on digital platforms, particularly in light of the serious implications of CSAM and online fraud .
