Centre to seek explanation from Meta over Instagram ads linked to child sexual abuse
New Delhi, July 3
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has reportedly directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to summon officials of Meta over advertisements hosted on Instagram that allegedly promoted child sexual abuse.
According to sources, the ministry will seek an explanation from the US-based technology company over how such advertisements appeared on Instagram, one of its social media platforms, and the safeguards in place to prevent the circulation of such content.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is expected to be asked to explain how the advertisements were allowed to run on its platform and what measures the company has taken to detect, remove and prevent content related to child sexual abuse.
The ministry is also likely to seek details of Meta's content moderation mechanisms, advertisement review processes and the steps being taken to strengthen enforcement against illegal and harmful content on its platforms, sources added.
However, Meta hadn't issued an official statement on the matter at the time of writing this news article.
The development comes days after the government halts WhatsApp username rollout in India. Responding to it, the messaging platform clarified that its upcoming username feature will be optional and reiterated that several safeguards have been built in to prevent impersonation, scams and unwanted contact as it prepares for a wider rollout later this year.
The messaging platform addressed a series of frequently asked questions on microblogging platform X after concerns were raised over the feature, including by the government which has asked the company to defer its rollout in the country pending consultations.
The company said users will not be required to create a username and that existing Instagram and Facebook usernames, along with those of public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta Verified accounts, have been reserved so they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, some action! As a parent, I'm terrified of what my kids might see on these platforms. Instagram's ad review process is clearly broken if CSAM-related ads slipped through. But we also need better digital literacy at home—parents must talk to children about online dangers. Government can't do everything alone. 🤷♀️
Meta's track record on content moderation is concerning. They've faced similar issues in the US and EU. India must demand stricter AI-based filtering and real-time monitoring for such content. A simple explanation isn't enough—there should be penalties for non-compliance. The safety of children should trump corporate profits any day.
I appreciate that the government is taking this seriously, but I hope it's not just a PR exercise. We've seen many notices issued to tech companies that lead nowhere. Meta needs to be forced to implement robust age verification and proactive detection systems. Also, why are they still delaying the WhatsApp username rollout? That feature could help reduce spam and abuse. 🤔
Good step, but the government also needs to look at end-to-end encryption's impact on child safety. While privacy is important, platforms must balance it with their responsibility to detect and report such content. Let's see if Meta actually cooperates or pulls the usual "we'll look into it" routine. Actions speak louder than statements. 💪
This is a serious issue, but I wish the government would also focus on local platforms and apps that may be hosting such content. Sometimes they go after big US companies while ignoring homegrown problems. Either way, child safety online should
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.