'Buy 'Rape Video', 'Child Video' For Rs 99': Outrageous Instagram Ads Lead To Govt Crackdown
The advertisements use explicit terms such as “rape video” and “child video”, and redirect users to channels on Telegram, where the illegal material is offered for just Rs 99.
- Tech News
- 2 min read
New Delhi: Instagram has been running paid advertisements in India that promote child sexual abuse material, an investigation by international media revealed, raising serious questions about the platform's ad moderation systems.
The advertisements use explicit terms such as “rape video” and “child video”, and redirect users to channels on Telegram, where the illegal material is offered for just Rs 99.
A BBC investigation revealed that Instagram was pushing sexually suggestive content even when users had no search history that could have trigged the algorithm to promote such content.
An alias Instagram account was set up in India, following accounts of individuals including women who posted about food, weather and daily life in India while wearing provocative clothing and using sexual innuendo.
As per the report, within a week, the account began receiving ads featuring women offering video calls and explicit content involving couples, and within days, ads depicting children in sexually suggestive situations with adults began appearing, again linking out to Telegram channels.
Govt Issues Notice To Meta
Amidst outrage over the report, the Government of India has issued a stern notice to Meta, directing the social media giant to immediately remove all paid advertisements on Instagram that promote or facilitate access to Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) while also seeking a detailed explanation within seven days, sources said.
The government has also sought immediate corrective measures to prevent the algorithmic amplification of content linked to child sexual exploitation, and Meta has been asked to explain how such content was allowed to appear as paid advertisements on Instagram despite the platform's moderation policies, as per sources.
Further, officials have warned that failure to furnish the required information or take prompt corrective action could invite legal proceedings under the Information Technology Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Published By : Nidhi Sinha
Published On: 5 July 2026 at 17:04 IST