Instagram approved and displayed paid adverts promoting child sexual abuse material to users in India before removing them following questions from the BBC, according to a BBC Eye investigation. The findings have intensified scrutiny of Meta's moderation systems and raised fresh concerns about how criminal content can slip through automated checks.

Moderation Failure Laid Bare

The investigation found that paid adverts directed users from Instagram to channels on Telegram where illegal child abuse material was allegedly being sold for small sums of money. Because Instagram advertisements undergo review before publication, the discovery raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Meta's screening systems.

The BBC said that after reporting one advert through Instagram's reporting tools, it received a response stating the advert did not breach the platform's community standards. The advert was only removed after the broadcaster approached Meta directly for comment.

Meta Moves After Questions

Meta said it had disabled multiple adverts, suspended the accounts responsible and blocked additional links identified during the BBC's investigation. The company acknowledged that "no system is perfect" and said its moderation process does not detect every policy violation before or after adverts go live.

The technology giant said it continues to use automated detection alongside user reports and refers suspected child exploitation cases to the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as required by law.

Telegram Under Fresh Pressure

The BBC also reported channels on Telegram that were allegedly distributing illegal material. While one was removed for breaching the platform's terms of service, another reportedly remained active after the complaint.

Telegram said it had removed more than 274,000 groups and channels linked to child sexual abuse material during 2026. The company said it combines automated detection with human moderation and believes it has "virtually eliminated" the public spread of such content, although critics continue to question whether its enforcement goes far enough.

Calls for Tougher Safeguards

The investigation is likely to increase pressure on major technology companies and regulators to strengthen online child protection measures. The distribution of child sexual abuse material is a criminal offence in India, and Meta's own advertising policies explicitly prohibit content that exploits or endangers children.

The case is expected to fuel renewed demands for faster moderation, stronger oversight and greater accountability from social media platforms whose advertising systems can be exploited by criminal networks.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgm4e0316zo

The Careless Machine

A BBC investigation reveals that Instagram is running ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India

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What a shame the BEEB can't keep their own house clean.