The tech giant, Meta has committed to bringing cases involving child sexual abuse and child safety to the attention of relevant law enforcement authorities in India, as the Indian government intensifies their engagement with social media companies over illegal and harmful content.
The commitment assumes significance against the backdrop of scrutiny surrounding the alleged circulation and promotion of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through advertisements on Instagram. It also places greater emphasis on the role of platforms in escalating serious child-safety violations beyond their own content moderation mechanisms.
For the government, protecting children online is a core requirement for platforms operating in India. It has indicated that the latest commitment from Meta represents an initial step, while discussions with other platforms continue around systems to identify and remove harmful material before it can spread.
Also Read: Meta Child Safety Case India
The government has also made clear that platforms could face action if they do not put adequate preventive measures in place for child safety. The approach reflects a broader focus on platform responsibility in dealing with illegal content, rather than relying solely on user reports or post-facto removal.
The issue sits within India’s existing intermediary framework. Social media platforms are subject to the Information Technology Act and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which establish due-diligence requirements for intermediaries.
The latest development follows allegations concerning Instagram and the use of its advertising ecosystem in connection with CSAM. The scrutiny has brought the platform’s safeguards for children under sharper focus and prompted greater government engagement with Meta.
Globally, social media companies have faced growing scrutiny over children’s exposure to online abuse, sexual exploitation and other harmful material. In India, the government’s continuing discussions with platforms are now focused not only on the removal of such content, but also on the mechanisms through which serious cases are identified and taken forward with law enforcement.
First Published on September 15, 2026, 09:09:58 IST
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