The Indian government on Sunday (July 5) directed Meta to immediately remove all advertisements and content on Instagram that promote or facilitate access to Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM). The Centre has also sought a detailed explanation from the company within seven days, according to a report by news agency ANI, citing sources.
The action comes a day after Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw instructed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to summon Meta over the issue.
According to the report, MeitY has asked Meta to immediately take down all paid Instagram advertisements linked to CSEAM. Officials have also directed the company to strengthen its safeguards to prevent similar content from appearing on the platform in the future.
Meta has been given one week to submit a comprehensive explanation detailing how the issue occurred and the corrective measures it intends to implement. Officials said the government’s concern stems from reports alleging that certain paid advertisements were being used to redirect users to external websites hosting illegal content.
The Centre has taken a serious view of allegations that Instagram’s systems may have amplified or recommended such content through algorithmic suggestions. It has instructed Meta to take immediate steps to prevent the promotion or circulation of any material linked to child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The development comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of social media platforms to distribute or facilitate access to illegal and harmful content, with authorities calling for stronger safeguards and quicker action from technology companies.
Notably, this is the second time this week that Meta officials have been summoned by MeitY. Earlier, ANI reported that ministry officials had met Meta representatives to discuss concerns related to the government’s notice over WhatsApp’s proposed usernames feature.
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