LONDON (Web Desk) – A BBC World Service investigation has alleged that Instagram displayed paid advertisements in India that promoted channels offering child sexual abuse material (CSAM), triggering a response from Indian authorities and renewed scrutiny of Meta’s advertising moderation systems.
According to the BBC investigation published on Friday, the advertisements allegedly directed users to Telegram channels where illegal content was being offered for sale.
The broadcaster said it identified the material while conducting an investigation using a newly created Instagram account designed to examine how the platform’s recommendation system served content.
The BBC reported that several advertisements appeared to promote illegal material and that one advertisement it reported through Instagram’s moderation system was initially found not to violate the platform’s community standards.
Meta later told the BBC it had removed multiple advertisements, suspended associated accounts and blocked links that breached its policies after being informed of the findings.
Following publication of the investigation, the Government of India said it had summoned representatives of Meta to seek an explanation regarding the reported advertisements.
Meta said child exploitation is a “horrific crime” and rejected any suggestion that it knowingly targeted such content to users.
The company stated that it continues to invest heavily in automated detection systems, specialist safety teams and cooperation with international child protection organisations.
“No system is perfect,” Meta said, adding that it continuously improves its detection technology and removes violating content whenever it becomes aware of it.
Telegram also responded to the BBC investigation, saying it actively removes channels involved in distributing child sexual abuse material. The messaging platform said it had removed more than 274,000 groups and channels associated with such content during 2026 and uses both automated technology and human moderators to combat abuse.
The investigation has renewed concerns over the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in reviewing online advertisements. Unlike ordinary social media posts, advertisements are generally reviewed before publication through automated moderation systems, with some cases referred for human assessment.
Earlier this year, Meta announced it would increasingly rely on artificial intelligence to support content moderation while reducing dependence on some third-party human reviewers.
The company has maintained that AI systems remain under expert supervision and are continually refined to improve enforcement.
Former Facebook executive Brian Boland told the BBC he was “horrified” by the findings and argued that recommendation systems designed to maximise engagement can sometimes produce harmful outcomes if not carefully monitored.
He said stronger safeguards should accompany algorithms that prioritise user engagement.
Retired Indian Supreme Court Justice Madan Lokur also expressed concern in comments to the BBC, saying social media platforms should not avoid responsibility when criminal content appears through their advertising systems.
He suggested the matter warranted serious legal attention.
According to the report, India’s cybercrime agencies receive a large number of reports related to online child exploitation through international reporting mechanisms.
Experts cited by the BBC stressed that combating child sexual abuse material requires cooperation among governments, technology companies and law enforcement agencies across borders.
The BBC said it has shared its findings with the relevant Indian authorities.
There has been no public indication that Meta or Telegram face criminal charges in connection with the allegations reported by the broadcaster.
The Tribune International has not independently verified the BBC’s findings. The matter remains under official scrutiny following the Indian government’s response.
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