Thursday, November 5, 2026 - Indian police have launched an investigation into the alleged circulation of child sexual abuse material on platforms operated by Meta, including Facebook and Instagram.
Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) following directions from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), marking a significant development in India's growing scrutiny of online child safety.
The announcement was made on November 5, 2026, after NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo confirmed that authorities had initiated action against the alleged availability of abusive content.
The investigation follows a BBC Eye report published in July that exposed advertisements allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material on Instagram in India.
According to police reports, approximately 10 links were flagged in a complaint, prompting further investigations.
Meta has previously announced additional artificial intelligence tools to detect and remove harmful content, reporting that it took action against 5.3 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content on Facebook and Instagram in India between January and June 2026. The company says more than 98 per cent of the material was identified before users reported it.
The investigation puts renewed pressure on major technology companies to strengthen their child protection systems and ensure their platforms are not exploited by online predators.
Indian authorities are also examining whether existing legal reporting obligations have been followed. With millions of children accessing social media platforms, the case highlights the urgent need for stronger monitoring, faster reporting and accountability.
The outcome could have wider implications for how technology companies operate and protect vulnerable users in India's rapidly expanding digital environment.
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