Child Rights Body Summons Meta Over Child Abuse Ads on Instagram

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights summoned Meta officials for a hearing on September 9, 2026, as part of an inquiry into child sexual exploitation and abuse material found on Instagram. A BBC investigation in July revealed dozens of ads promoting this harmful material on Instagram using a test account. The IT Ministry also summoned the company on the issue. Meta stated that its systems had already identified and removed several violating ads before the cases were brought to its attention. The company added that it automatically removes millions of accounts posting child sexual abuse material each year, but noted that no system is perfect. In July, the Tech Transparency Project reported finding hundreds of such ads on Facebook and Instagram, including some served to India. The nonprofit stated that Meta was undercounting instances by tagging some ads as adult sexual content rather than child abuse. The organization also noted that many ads were placed by Chinese resellers benefiting from a more relaxed enforcement regime. Following notices issued on July 3 by the NCPCR and MeitY, Meta provided written responses. The NCPCR later declined a Right to Information request from The Hindu for the response, stating it would impede the ongoing investigation. The NCPCR derives its power to summon private organizations and demand reports from the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, which grants the body civil court powers.