Meta defends Instagram safeguards after Centre cracks down on CSAM ads

NEW DELHI: Looks like Meta’s moderation microscope is under the scanner itself. The social media giant has defended its content safety systems after the Centre ordered it to immediately remove Instagram advertisements and content linked to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), escalating scrutiny over how such content allegedly slipped through the platform’s safeguards.

The latest development follows a notice issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directing Meta to disable all advertisements and content promoting or facilitating access to CSAM on Instagram. The ministry has also sought a detailed explanation within seven days on how the advertisements were approved, the safeguards currently in place and the corrective measures being taken to prevent similar incidents.

Responding to the notice, Meta reiterated that it maintains a “zero tolerance” policy towards Child Sexual Abuse Material, including in advertisements.

“Meta has a zero tolerance policy for soliciting or sharing CSAM, including in ads. We use advanced AI technology to proactively detect violating content and individuals, but we are in a constant battle with criminals who hide among our 3.5 billion users and try to evade our detection. That is why our expert teams are constantly working to improve our defences, develop new technology to root out predators, block links to violating websites, and share intelligence with other companies so they can take action too,” a Meta spokesperson said.

The government’s action follows a BBC Eye investigation published on July 3, which alleged that Instagram carried paid advertisements in India promoting child sexual abuse material. According to the report, the advertisements contained explicit search terms and directed users to Telegram channels where the illegal content was allegedly being offered for as little as Rs 99. The investigation also claimed that some of the advertisements had passed Instagram’s automated moderation systems.

According to sources, MeitY has asked Meta to explain the approval process for the advertisements, outline its existing AI-powered detection and moderation mechanisms, and detail the additional safeguards it plans to introduce to stop similar incidents from recurring.

The latest notice adds to a widening regulatory focus on digital platforms. Earlier this week, the Centre also sought explanations from Meta-owned WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal over their username features, seeking details on the safeguards in place to prevent fraud, impersonation and misuse.

The action signals the government’s increasingly aggressive stance on platform accountability as concerns grow over online safety, child protection and the effectiveness of automated content moderation systems.