Reported by: Aditya Raj Kaul
NCPCR Summons Meta India Over Child Exploitation Ads Inquiry
The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned the Managing Director and Head of Meta India to appear before the commission on September 9. This inquiry is focused on advertisements that are allegedly connected to Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM). The commission’s action underscores ongoing concerns regarding the impact of online platforms on child safety and the responsibility of tech companies in preventing exploitation.
The report noted that advertisements on Instagram are only published after being approved by the platform’s moderation technology. Separately, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Delhi Police to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegations that paid Instagram adverts promoted CSAM in India. The NHRC has also asked police to examine whether Meta and other concerned entities met their mandatory reporting obligations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
When the BBC flagged one of the adverts to Instagram, the platform reportedly responded a day later, stating that the post did not violate its “community guidelines”.
