The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned Meta India managing director Arun Srinivas to appear before the commission on September 9, as part of an inquiry into Instagram advertisements allegedly linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to a report by BBC Eye. The summons follows an investigation into the platform's handling of such content, with the NCPCR chairperson Valeti Premchand expected to lead the hearing in New Delhi. A representative from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is also expected to attend, as discussions on algorithmic policies and technical measures are anticipated.

The BBC report alleges that Instagram displayed advertisements containing phrases such as 'rape video' and 'child video' that directed users to Telegram channels allegedly selling CSAM. Initially, Meta responded that the ad did not violate its community standards, but following the BBC’s findings, the company removed several advertisements, disabled multiple accounts, and blocked URLs found to be in violation of its policies. MeitY had previously summoned top Meta officials and issued a notice on July 4, directing the company to disable all Instagram advertisements and content promoting or facilitating access to CSAM.

NCPCR had also sought a report from Meta on why the company did not inform the police after allegedly becoming aware of CSAM being promoted on Instagram, as required under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCS, Act). Section 19 of the Pocso Act mandates that any person with knowledge of an offence under the Act report it to the Special Juvenile Police Unit or local police. Meta submitted its response within a week, but the NCPCR is now seeking further clarification and evidence from the company.

The summons to Meta comes weeks after the company faced scrutiny over the temporary takedown of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook video, which was attributed to a technical error. During a two-day meeting on August 5 and 6, discussions between the government and Meta’s global team also covered the proliferation of CSAM on its platforms. MeitY has acknowledged that Meta has stepped up efforts to detect and remove CSAM from Instagram and Facebook, including by strengthening filters and hiring regional-language moderators.

Separately, NCPCR is drafting a uniform voluntary code of conduct for social media platforms to strengthen online safeguards for children. The guidelines are expected to cover age-appropriate access, harmful content, recommendation algorithms, and online safety, while focusing on safer use rather than restricting children’s access altogether. The commission is consulting MeitY, DoT, platforms, and civil society, with age verification and privacy among the key issues.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also directed the Delhi Police to investigate the allegations that paid Instagram adverts promoted CSAM in India. The NHRC has asked police to examine whether Meta and other entities met their mandatory reporting obligations under the Pocso Act. The NHRC took up the matter after reviewing BBC World Service reports alleging that Instagram adverts used specific terms and redirected users to channels where such material was allegedly being sold. The NHRC has directed the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to submit a comprehensive Action Taken Report on the matter.