Meta's Instagram platform continues displaying child abuse ads in India

Meta's Instagram continues to display paid advertisements linked to child sexual abuse material in India, according to recent investigative findings. The discovery marks a troubling pattern of inadequate safeguarding on the platform, despite mounting pressure on the technology company to strengthen its moderation systems.

The investigation identified multiple instances where paid advertising on Instagram appeared to promote such illegal material. The findings suggest that Meta's systems for detecting and removing such content have significant gaps, particularly in markets like India where the company operates at massive scale.

Meta has faced escalating criticism in recent years over its content moderation practices across various regions. The company operates Instagram and other platforms with billions of users globally, yet has drawn repeated accusations of failing to adequately prevent harmful content from circulating, particularly material related to the sexual exploitation of children.

The discovery comes as regulators and child safety advocates worldwide intensify scrutiny of tech platforms' responsibilities. India's regulatory authorities have been increasingly vocal about the need for stricter oversight of social media companies operating within the country.

Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the latest findings. The company has previously stated its commitment to removing child sexual abuse material and cooperating with law enforcement agencies to combat such content.