The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intervened following reports that paid advertisements on Meta's platforms were facilitating access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in India.

  • NHRC has taken serious note of advertisements on Meta-owned platforms promoting CSAM.
  • The Commission has demanded point-wise reports from MeitY, MIB, and Delhi Police within two weeks.
  • The investigation focuses on compliance with the POCSO Act and failures in Meta's content moderation.

New Delhi: In a significant move to protect child safety online, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken formal cognizance of reports alleging that paid advertisements on social media platforms operated by Meta Platforms Inc. were promoting or facilitating access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in India.

According to proceedings dated September 3, 2026, the Commission acted on media reports published by the BBC World Service. The reports alleged that advertisements on Instagram utilized explicit and predatory terms such as "rape video" and "child video," redirecting users to messenger services where such illicit material was allegedly being offered for sale.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case exposes a critical vulnerability in the global digital advertising ecosystem. When paid content bypasses internal review mechanisms to promote illegal and predatory activities, it suggests a systemic failure in the 'due diligence' protocols of major tech intermediaries, potentially enabling organized criminal networks to thrive.

The failure of automated review mechanisms to flag CSAM-related advertisements poses a direct threat to the safety of minors in the digital age.

The NHRC has issued a stern directive to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), and the Delhi Police Commissioner. The Commission has specifically demanded confirmation regarding compliance with Section 19 of the POCSO Act, 2012, which mandates the reporting of such offenses to law enforcement.

Historical Background

The legal framework surrounding online child safety in India is anchored by the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Traditionally, intermediaries claimed immunity under Section 79 of the IT Act; however, recent judicial precedents, including the Supreme Court's ruling in the Just Rights for Children Alliance case, have clarified that such immunity does not absolve platforms of their statutory obligations under POCSO.

The Commission is now examining whether Meta's algorithmic systems and AI-driven content curation inadvertently amplified this harmful content, and whether the company failed to discharge its reporting obligations to the authorities.

Did You Know?: Under the POCSO Act, failing to report a known or suspected offense against a child can lead to legal consequences for the person or entity involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the specific allegation against Meta?
It is alleged that Meta's advertising system allowed paid ads to promote access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through explicit keywords and links.

2. What action has the NHRC taken?
The NHRC has sought a detailed, point-wise action-taken report from the Ministry of Electronics and IT and the Delhi Police within a two-week deadline.