Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Child Abuse Content Found on Meta, Telegram Despite Policy Bans
An investigation by NDTV found that harmful content, like sexually suggestive videos of children and ads for child sexual abuse material, was still available on Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram.
These platforms have rules against such content, but the investigation showed that these rules are not always enforced.
Telegram and Meta said they are working to remove this content, but the investigation found that some of it was still easy to find.
The Government of India also got involved and asked Meta to explain how these ads were allowed.
This raises concerns about how well these platforms can keep users, especially children, safe online.
An NDTV investigation found sexually suggestive videos of children, AI-generated exploitative content, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram.
Telegram channels were selling CSAM for as little as Rs 50, despite Telegram's efforts to remove such content.
Facebook pages were found with AI-generated sexually suggestive content and promoting Telegram channels with explicit material.
The Government of India issued a notice to Meta after CSAM was promoted through advertisements on Instagram.
Despite platform policies and moderation efforts, harmful content was still discoverable, raising questions about the effectiveness of enforcement.
- Who
- NDTV conducted the investigation; Meta, Telegram, and the Government of India are involved.
- What
- An investigation found exploitative and illegal content on Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram.
- When
- The investigation was conducted over several days; Telegram removed 305,000 CSAM groups and channels in 2026.
- Where
- The content was found on Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram.
- Why
- To raise awareness about the effectiveness of platform moderation and the safety of children online.
- Platforms Investigated
- Instagram, Facebook, Telegram
- Types of Content Found
- Sexually suggestive videos, AI-generated exploitative content, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), posts glorifying guns and gang culture
- Telegram's CSAM Removal
- Over 305,000 CSAM groups and channels removed in 2026
- Government Action
- Issued notice to Meta for CSAM advertisements on Instagram
- Meta's Response
- Removed content that violated policies after NDTV's report
- Telegram's Moderation
- Uses industry-leading moderation and scans against hash databases
- Facebook's AI-Generated Content
- Pages with AI-generated sexually suggestive content
- Instagram's Community Standards
- Prohibits sexually explicit content and child exploitation