Government Issues Notice to Meta; Action Against Instagram! Here’s the Full Story

The central government has issued a stern notice to Meta regarding allegedly objectionable advertisements on Instagram linked to the sexual exploitation of children. The government has directed the company to immediately remove all such advertisements and associated content. Additionally, a full report on the matter has been sought within seven days. According to sources, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has taken a serious view of the issue. The Ministry has questioned how such advertisements were approved on Instagram and why they were not blocked before reaching the public.

Reports indicate that highly objectionable language was used in some of these advertisements. It is alleged that clicking on these ads redirected users to external channels hosting illegal content related to the sexual exploitation of children. If these allegations are substantiated, the matter will be treated with extreme gravity.

The government has also asked Meta what steps have been taken so far to prevent such incidents and what new mechanisms the company plans to implement to ensure such content does not reappear in the future.

Sources state that if the investigation confirms the allegations, Meta cannot evade responsibility simply by claiming the material originated from a third party. If the company accepted payment to display these advertisements, it could be held liable. The government has made it clear that failure to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated timeframe could lead to further legal action under the Information Technology Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Meanwhile, Meta has responded by stating that it maintains a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding any content related to the sexual exploitation of children. The company asserts that it employs advanced technology (AI) to identify and remove such content. Furthermore, its expert teams are continuously working to take action against the individuals and networks involved.

For now, the government is awaiting the company’s response. This matter once again raises serious questions regarding the safety of children on social media platforms, the scrutiny of advertisements, and the monitoring of online content.