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Government investigation into Meta's handling of CSAM advertisements

4 entries over 17 days, from 4 July 2026 to 20 July 2026.

01
4 July

MeitY to summon Meta over CSAM advertisements

  • 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.
3 questions on this day
02
6 July

Government notice to Meta on child sexual abuse material

  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a notice to Meta directing the removal of advertisements facilitating access to Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) on Instagram.
  • Meta is required to provide a detailed explanation regarding the matter within seven days.
  • The directive follows reports alleging that Instagram advertisements were linking users to Telegram channels for the purchase of CSEAM.
  • Meta maintains a zero-tolerance policy against CSEAM and claims to use technology to detect such content, though it acknowledges challenges in evading detection by criminals.
  • Under the IT Act, 2000, publishing or transmitting material depicting children in sexually explicit acts is a punishable offense.
  • The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, mandate that intermediaries exercise due diligence and remove illegal content within 24 hours to retain legal immunity.
  • Failure to comply with due diligence requirements results in the loss of exemption for third-party content hosted by intermediaries.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs manages the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to address cybercrimes, particularly those against children.
4 questions on this day
03
8 July

Meta's efforts against child sexual abuse content

  • Meta has released a report detailing its strategies to combat child sexual abuse content (CSAC) on its platforms.
  • The company utilizes AI-powered detection systems to identify and remove prohibited content.
  • Meta performs large-scale enforcement actions to address policy violations related to child exploitation.
  • The initiative follows government scrutiny regarding the promotion of CSAC through advertisements on Instagram in India.
  • Meta maintains a stated policy of zero tolerance toward child exploitation content on its platforms.
3 questions on this day
04
20 July

Crackdown on child sexual abuse material

  • Delhi Police arrested 10 individuals and registered 10 FIRs for the transmission, downloading, storage, and circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
  • The operation took place between July 13 and 18 in the Central district of Delhi.
  • Legal provisions invoked include the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act.
  • The investigation was initiated following digital indicators and international cyber tip-offs from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), a US-based organization.
  • NCMEC operates 'CyberTipline', a centralized reporting system for online child sexual exploitation.
  • The accused individuals are aged between 25 and 30 and are residents of Delhi.
3 questions on this day

Questions from this story

Newest first. A story that ran for 17 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

  1. The proliferation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in the digital space poses a significant challenge to child safety. Discuss the role of international cooperation and domestic legal frameworks like the POCSO Act and the IT Act in curbing this menace. 150 words · 20 July
  2. Technological advancements have facilitated the rise of borderless cybercrimes, including the circulation of child sexual abuse material. Evaluate the efficacy of current institutional mechanisms in India to detect and prosecute such crimes, and suggest measures to strengthen the digital safety ecosystem for children. 250 words · 20 July
  3. The proliferation of child sexual abuse content on social media platforms poses a significant challenge to digital governance. Discuss the role of AI-driven moderation and the responsibility of intermediaries in ensuring a safe digital environment for minors under the Information Technology Act. 150 words · 8 July
  4. Examine the ethical and legal challenges associated with regulating user-generated content and advertisements on global social media platforms. How can the government balance the protection of child rights with the principles of digital privacy and freedom of expression? 250 words · 8 July
  5. Examine the legal obligations of social media intermediaries under the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, in curbing the dissemination of child sexual exploitative material. 150 words · 6 July
  6. The proliferation of child sexual abuse material on digital platforms poses a significant challenge to child rights and national security. Discuss the efficacy of existing legislative frameworks and institutional mechanisms like the I4C in addressing this menace. 250 words · 6 July
  7. 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 · 4 July
  8. 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 · 4 July

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