India Orders Meta To Remove Abuse Ads
Understood. I’ll keep sources hidden going forward.
Here is the corrected version without visible source links:
India has ordered Meta to remove Instagram advertisements and related content allegedly promoting or facilitating access to child sexual exploitative and abuse material, while asking the company to submit a detailed response within seven days.
Meta Ordered To Remove Instagram Ads
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued a formal notice to Meta after concerns were raised over paid Instagram advertisements linked to child sexual exploitative and abuse material.
The government has directed the platform to remove all such advertisements and any related content that may help users access illegal material. It has also sought an explanation on how such ads passed through Meta’s review and approval systems.
Child Safety Rules Under Scrutiny
The issue has renewed scrutiny of social media platforms’ responsibility in moderating paid promotions before they are shown to users.
Officials have indicated that platforms cannot treat paid advertisements in the same way as ordinary user-generated content, particularly when the platform earns revenue from such promotions. Failure to act may invite action under India’s IT rules and child protection laws.
Meta Faces Seven-Day Deadline
Meta has been asked to explain the steps taken to remove the flagged content and prevent similar violations in the future.
The company has previously maintained that it has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse material and uses technology, human review teams and reporting systems to detect and remove such content. However, the latest notice highlights growing concerns over harmful content entering digital platforms through paid advertising systems.
The development adds to wider pressure on technology companies to improve ad screening, child safety enforcement and accountability in India.
