India Threatens Meta With Legal Action Over Instagram Child Abuse Ads

India's government has issued a formal warning to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, over advertisements on the platform that allegedly promote child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The notice demands that Meta remove such content and provide a detailed explanation for how it appeared.

The warning was delivered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, which cited specific instances of ads that violated Indian law and platform guidelines. The government has given Meta a deadline to respond, failing which it may pursue legal proceedings under the Information Technology Act.

This escalation follows growing scrutiny of social media platforms in India over their handling of harmful content. Authorities have previously taken action against other tech firms for non-compliance with local regulations, including content takedown orders and fines.

Meta has not yet issued a public statement on the notice. The company has faced similar criticism globally for gaps in its content moderation systems, particularly regarding automated ad placements that bypass standard review processes.

Legal experts note that India's stance could set a precedent for how other countries address platform liability for user-generated and promoted content. The case also highlights the tension between global tech companies and national laws aimed at protecting minors online.