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4 July 2026

MeitY to summon Meta over CSAM advertisements

The topic highlights critical governance and regulatory challenges regarding social media accountability, cybersecurity, and the protection of vulnerable sections, which are core themes in GS2 and GS3.

1 min read Day 1 of 4 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • MeitY has summoned Meta following reports of advertisements for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) appearing on Instagram.
  • Meta claims a 'zero-tolerance' policy towards CSAM and utilizes AI technology to detect violating content and predators.
  • A BBC report identified over two dozen ads promoting CSAM on Instagram, which contained links to external Telegram channels.
  • MeitY is investigating a new WhatsApp 'username' feature, expressing concerns that it may facilitate impersonation and scams while hindering the traceability of perpetrators by masking phone numbers.
  • The government has requested a formal written explanation from Meta regarding the security implications of the proposed WhatsApp username feature.

Part of a longer story

This is day 1 of 4 in Government investigation into Meta's handling of CSAM advertisements, which has been running since 4 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. The proliferation of illegal content on social media platforms poses significant challenges to child safety and digital governance. Discuss the regulatory mechanisms available to the government to ensure platform accountability in the digital age. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The introduction of features that enhance user anonymity on messaging platforms often conflicts with the state's mandate to ensure cybersecurity and prevent criminal activities. Critically analyze this tension between privacy rights and the requirements of law enforcement in the context of emerging digital communication technologies. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which ministry is responsible for summoning social media intermediaries in India regarding the proliferation of illegal content on their platforms?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-04/meity-to-summon-meta-over-csam-advertisements