The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in India has summoned Arun Srinivas, the managing director of Meta India, for questioning on September 9. This action is part of an investigation prompted by a BBC Eye report that revealed Instagram was hosting advertisements linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The inquiry highlights ongoing concerns about child safety on social media platforms.
The hearing will be led by NCPCR chairperson Valeti Premchand at its New Delhi office on Wednesday afternoon, according to people aware of the matter. NCPCR has the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure to summon and enforce the attendance of any person. Meta replied to NCPCR in a week’s time. The body first calls for the relevant documents, studies them and then questions the people concerned. We now want to hear Meta’s side, understand the arguments it has presented in its report, and give the Meta India MD an opportunity to explain himself. This is part of the principles of natural justice before we reach any conclusion. At the hearing, Meta can substantiate the arguments made in its reports with relevant evidence, and we may seek further clarifications or documents. The MD will also have to depose under oath when summoned, and that deposition can subsequently be produced before a court of law. Separately, NCPCR is also in the process of drafting a uniform voluntary code of conduct for social media platforms to strengthen online safeguards for children. The guidelines are expected to cover age-appropriate access, harmful content, recommendation algorithms and online safety, while focusing on safer use rather than restricting children’s access altogether.
As reported by HT on July 27 , NCPCR sought a report from Meta on why the company did not inform the police after allegedly becoming aware of CSAM being promoted on Instagram, as required under under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. Section 19 of the Pocso Act requires any person who has knowledge of an offence under the Act to report it to the Special Juvenile Police Unit or the local police. The commission is consulting MeitY, DoT, platforms and civil society, with age verification and privacy among the key issues, HT reported on August 21.
A representative from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is also expected to be at the hearing, people aware of the matter told HT, as discussions on algorithms and other technical aspects are expected to be central to the proceedings. An NCPCR official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told HT, “When we initiate an inquiry, there is a procedure.
