New Delhi [India]: The Government of India is reviewing tech giant Meta's response to a notice issued over allegations that child sexual abuse material (CSAM) appeared in paid advertisements on Instagram.
The nodal ministry called MeitY has received the company's reply and will decide its next course of action after a detailed examination, Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan has informed.
What triggered the notice?
The Ministry recently issued a notice to Meta after concerns were raised that paid advertisements on Instagram were allegedly promoting or providing access to child sexual exploitative and abuse material (CSAM).
Given the serious nature of the allegations, the government directed Instagram to immediately disable any advertisements or content that promotes, facilitates or provides access to such material. It also sought a detailed explanation from Meta within a specified deadline.
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What is CSAM?
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) refers to images, videos or other content depicting the sexual abuse or exploitation of children. The circulation, promotion and possession of such material are illegal under Indian law and are prohibited under the policies of major online platforms.
How has Meta responded?
In its reply to the government, Meta outlined the measures it says are already in place to combat CSAM across its platforms.
According to the company, it:
Uses artificial intelligence-based detection systems to identify harmful content.
Carries out large-scale enforcement actions against accounts and content that violate its policies.
Continues to invest in technology, specialised teams and safety tools aimed at protecting children and young users.
Plans to further strengthen its advertising review process to prevent harmful content from appearing in paid advertisements.
Meta has maintained that it is committed to removing exploitative content and improving safeguards across its platforms.
What happens next?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is currently examining Meta's response. Officials will assess whether the measures outlined by the company adequately address the concerns raised in the notice.
Based on its review, the government will decide whether further regulatory or legal action is required.
Why does this matter?
The case highlights growing scrutiny of social media platforms over the moderation of harmful content, particularly when such content is allegedly amplified through paid advertisements. It also underscores the government's expectation that digital platforms deploy effective systems to detect, remove and prevent illegal content before it reaches users.
The outcome of the government's review could influence future enforcement and compliance requirements for online platforms operating in India.
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