The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is conducting an inquiry into the activities of Meta India concerning alleged advertisements linked to Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) on its platform, Instagram. On September 13, 2026, Meta’s India chief, Arun Srinivas, along with senior executives, appeared before the commission for the second time within a week.

This meeting follows an initial appearance on September 9, in response to growing concerns regarding child safety on social media. Srinivas did not comment on the discussions held during the recent meeting as he exited the NCPCR office. The urgency of this inquiry has risen due to allegations surrounding Meta’s advertising mechanisms, which reportedly allow for the amplification of harmful content involving children.

In context, the NCPCR had previously issued a notice to Meta after acknowledging various reports detailing the promotion of CSEAM on Instagram. The commission’s actions showcase a proactive approach to investigate such serious allegations thoroughly.

Meta’s Compliance with Reporting Requirements

In a significant development, Meta has acknowledged its mistakes and committed to reporting cases related to child safety directly to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’s (I4C) cybercrime portal. This transition signifies a shift from the previous method.

In it, child safety issues were predominantly reported to the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). A spokesperson from Meta emphasised the company’s dedication to child protection and noted that sharing information directly with Indian authorities was an essential component of their strategy to hold offenders accountable.

Government sources have highlighted the necessity for social media platforms to treat children’s online safety as a critical and non-negotiable principle. This new reporting protocol raises expectations for swift action against platforms failing to safeguard children while enhancing collaboration with others to effectively monitor and eliminate harmful content.

Investigation Impact on Meta’s Operations

The scrutiny of Meta intensified following a BBC Eye investigation released in July 2026, which alleged that the platform hosted paid advertisements promoting CSEAM. Concerns were specifically directed at the mechanisms within Meta that purportedly facilitated user access to inappropriate material on channels like Telegram.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) subsequently instructed Instagram to prohibit such advertisements and requested detailed explanations from Meta. Moreover, the NCPCR’s inquiry began with a notice issued on July 3, following the initial report, indicating the commission’s proactive stance. Following Meta’s response to the notice, the commission decided to investigate further to ascertain the facts surrounding the situation fully.

Government officials are examining how Meta’s algorithms impact user exposure to content, suggesting that the company cannot merely be seen as a traditional intermediary. Increased accountability is being sought for platforms to identify and act against child sexual abuse material effectively.

Wider Scrutiny Amid Additional Allegations

The NCPCR’s investigation is not isolated; it runs concurrently with additional examinations by other government bodies. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged Delhi Police to investigate whether Meta met mandatory reporting requirements under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The NHRC has demanded progress reports from MeitY, Delhi Police, and Meta regarding the inquiry. Furthermore, the I4C concentrates on crimes targeting women and children, establishing a framework to manage online criminal activities more effectively.

In a related development, a senior official from Capgemini has been summoned by the NCPCR concerning separate allegations of child abuse at a day-care facility operated by the company in Bengaluru. The concurrent inquiries reflect a broader enforcement effort concerning child safety across various sectors.

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