Meta faces scrutiny over child abuse-related advertisements in India

Meta is facing increased scrutiny in India after researchers found hundreds of paid advertisements on its platforms that allegedly promoted or facilitated access to child sexual abuse material, raising fresh questions about the company’s ability to prevent harmful content from appearing in advertisements.

The Tech Transparency Project said it identified more than 300 advertisements containing child sexual abuse imagery on Facebook and Instagram. Its investigation found that some of the material involved artificial intelligence-generated content, while other cases allegedly used images of real children. Meta subsequently removed the advertisements identified by researchers.

The revelations have prompted action from Indian authorities. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has summoned Meta India's managing director and country head over allegations involving advertisements connected to child sexual exploitation and abuse material. The National Human Rights Commission has also sought reports from government agencies and Delhi Police concerning the allegations. 

The case adds to growing international concern over the use of social media and artificial intelligence to facilitate the exploitation of children. Meta has said some of the advertisements were removed and that it earned only a small amount from the offending ads, but the findings have intensified calls for stronger safeguards and greater accountability from technology companies.