New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has reportedly taken stringent action against Meta over the alleged circulation of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) through paid advertisements on Instagram. According to sources, the ministry has directed the company to immediately block all advertisements and content found to be promoting or enabling access to such illegal material.
Sources familiar with the development said the Centre has expressed serious concern over the issue and has asked Meta to ensure that all such content is taken down without delay. The government has also sought a detailed report explaining how the advertisements appeared on the platform despite existing moderation mechanisms.
As part of its directive, MeitY has reportedly given Meta seven days to submit a comprehensive explanation outlining the circumstances that led to the alleged violation, along with the corrective measures being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The latest move reflects the government’s continued emphasis on holding digital platforms accountable for the content they host and distribute, particularly where child safety is concerned. Officials are said to be closely monitoring Meta’s response and the company’s compliance with the ministry’s instructions.
While Meta has not yet released an official statement on the matter, the notice is expected to intensify scrutiny of social media platforms’ content moderation systems and their responsibility to curb the spread of illegal and exploitative content online.
Further developments are likely once Meta submits its response to the government or issues a public clarification.
