Instagram ads promoting child sexual abuse material uncovered in India, BBC investigation reveals

Instagram has been found running paid advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material in India, according to a BBC Eye investigation published on July 3, 2026. These ads included terms like "rape video" and "child video," directing users to Telegram channels where such material can be purchased for as little as 99 rupees (approximately 80p).

Following the investigation's release, the Indian government summoned representatives from Meta, Instagram's parent company, to address the issue. Despite Instagram's moderation technology, the ads were approved and displayed, highlighting significant flaws in the platform's content review processes.

Investigation Findings on Instagram's Content Moderation

The BBC's investigation revealed that Instagram's ads promoting child sexual abuse material were not adequately monitored. After reporting one ad, Instagram replied 24 hours later stating it did not violate their community guidelines. This prompted further scrutiny of Instagram's content moderation policies, especially regarding the approval of such harmful content.

Meta later acknowledged that they had disabled several ads and suspended accounts responsible for posting this material. However, the company stated, "no system is perfect, and our review process may not detect all policy violations." This raises concerns about the efficacy of their moderation technology.

Child Sexual Abuse Material and Related Advertisements

The BBC set up an alias account on Instagram to investigate the prevalence of sexually suggestive content. Within a week, the account was inundated with ads featuring adults in sexually explicit situations, and alarming ads promoting child sexual abuse material soon followed. In total, approximately 30 unique ads surfaced, many of which were shared across multiple accounts.

Despite Meta's policies prohibiting ads that exploit or endanger children, the investigation revealed a troubling trend where the platform's algorithm promoted such content. One disturbing ad depicted a child engaged in a sexual act, while another featured a man with a minor, suggesting a deeply concerning lack of oversight.

Meta and Telegram's Responses to Child Exploitation

In response to the BBC's findings, Meta committed to enhancing its proactive detection technology for ads. The company stated it reports cases of apparent child exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), adhering to legal requirements. However, critics argue that both Instagram and Telegram must do more to prevent the circulation of illegal content.

Telegram reported removing over 274,000 groups and channels related to child sexual abuse material in 2026. However, the platform's effectiveness has been questioned, especially since it is not a member of the NCMEC or the Internet Watch Foundation, organizations dedicated to combating online child exploitation.

• Instagram ads promoting child sexual abuse material included:
• Terms like "rape video" and "child video".
• Prices as low as 99 rupees (about 80p).
• 30 unique ads promoting child sexual abuse.

The failure of both platforms to adequately protect vulnerable users highlights the urgent need for improved content moderation strategies to combat the proliferation of child sexual exploitation.