The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- A BBC investigation found that Instagram in India ran paid advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material, with links to Telegram channels where such content was sold for small amounts like 99 rupees.
- The ads appeared despite Meta's automated ad review systems and its policies banning such content.
- When the BBC reported one ad showing a crying young girl, Instagram's review team initially said it did not violate its community standards; after the BBC raised the findings with Meta, the company said it had disabled several ads and accounts, removed additional ads, and blocked related URLs.
- Telegram said it removed more than 274,000 groups and channels related to child sexual abuse material in 2026, though one reported channel continued posting new videos, and the BBC has filed complaints with Indian officials.
What to watch next
- Action by Indian authorities on the BBC's complaints about the ads and Telegram channels.
- Whether Meta's promised removals and account suspensions prevent similar ads from reappearing.
- Any change in Telegram's stance, given it is not a member of NCMEC or the Internet Watch Foundation.
Coverage1
1 report
Indian-language1
All filed from India
Named India · United States · United Arab Emirates · Dubai · Instagram · New Mexico · Telegram · BBC · BBC World Service · Brian Boland · Divya Arya · Internet Watch Foundation · Madan Lokur
The 1 report is listed beside the record.
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