Meta executives appear before NCPCR over child abuse ads on its platforms

Senior executives of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, appeared before the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Wednesday in connection with its inquiry into alleged advertisements linked to child sexual exploitation and abuse material on its platforms.The commission had taken suo motu cognisance of a BBC Eye report on July 3 and sought an explanation from Meta Platforms, Inc.

Meta submitted its response a week later, after which the NCPCR decided to institute an inquiry and summoned the MD and Head of Meta India to appear before it, officials said.Details of the questioning were not immediately available. The commission's action comes amid concerns over the alleged availability and promotion of child sexual exploitation material through online platforms.In July, the government also issued a stern notice to Meta over child sexual exploitative and abuse material in paid advertisements on Instagram.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered Instagram to disable all advertisements and content promoting or facilitating access to such material, and sought a detailed explanation. The move followed IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directing ministry officials to summon Meta over Instagram advertisements allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material.The ministry's scrutiny came after the BBC report alleged that Meta's recommendation algorithm had been promoting videos containing child sexual abuse material, exposing serious gaps in safeguards.

The investigation also allegedly found advertisements of this nature appearing on Facebook and Instagram, despite Meta's advertising policies prohibiting nudity and sexually explicit content. Instagram was also alleged to have shown paid advertisements with terms such as rape video and child video, which directed users to Telegram channels where such content was reportedly being sold.The appearance of Meta executives before the NCPCR marks the latest step in the inquiry launched after the BBC report, alongside the government's action over the alleged promotion of child sexual exploitative and abuse material on the company's platforms.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 9, 2026 21:43 IST