Meta executives questioned by child protection body over CSAM on Instagram

Representatives from Meta faced questioning by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) regarding the presence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on its Instagram platform. The development follows a directive issued by the Indian government in July that expressed serious concern about such content appearing alongside paid advertisements on the social media platform.

The NCPCR's move reflects growing scrutiny of Meta's content moderation practices and child safety protocols in India. The appearance of CSAM in advertisement spaces is particularly alarming as it suggests potential gaps in the company's systems for detecting and removing illegal material, especially in revenue-generating sections of the platform.

Meta has faced mounting pressure from Indian regulators and child safety advocates over its handling of harmful content. The July notice from the government underscored the urgency with which authorities are treating the matter, signaling that platforms must strengthen their mechanisms for identifying and removing such material promptly.

The questioning by the NCPCR represents a significant escalation in official action against the platform. Child protection advocates have long flagged concerns about the inadequacy of content moderation on major social media platforms, particularly regarding material depicting child exploitation. Meta's response to the commission's inquiries could shape the regulatory environment for tech companies operating in India moving forward.