India Orders Meta to Remove Instagram Ads Promoting Child Abuse
India's IT ministry has ordered Meta to remove Instagram ads promoting child sexual exploitation material, citing a BBC Eye investigation that found 30 paid ads in India. Meta has 7 days to explain how the ads passed review and detail safeguards. The move puts Meta's safe harbour at risk.
Key points
- India's IT ministry ordered Meta to remove Instagram ads promoting child sexual exploitation material, citing a BBC Eye investigation.
- A test account in India was served 30 distinct paid ads using explicit search terms, redirecting users to Telegram channels selling illegal material.
- Meta has 7 days to explain how the ads passed review and detail safeguards to prevent future incidents.
- The move puts Meta's safe harbour at risk, as the company may face consequences for failing to comply.
India's IT ministry has taken a firm stance against Meta, ordering the company to remove Instagram ads promoting child sexual exploitation material. The move comes after a BBC Eye investigation found that a test account in India was served 30 distinct paid ads using explicit search terms, which redirected users to Telegram channels selling illegal material.
The investigation, published on July 3, highlighted the ease with which users can access such content on Instagram. The ads, which were paid for by individuals, were found to be promoting channels that sold explicit material for as little as INR 99 (approximately $1).
Meta has been given 7 days to explain how the ads passed review and to detail the safeguards it will put in place to prevent future incidents. The company's failure to comply may put its safe harbour at risk, as it may face consequences for failing to take adequate measures to prevent the spread of such content.
The move is a significant development in the ongoing row between India's IT ministry and Meta. Last week, the ministry summoned Meta executives, and the current order escalates the situation. The implications of this move are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how Meta will respond to the demands of the IT ministry.
Sources
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