The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which last month took suo motu cognisance of a BBC Eye report alleging that Meta platforms carried advertisements linked to Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM), has decided to initiate a formal inquiry into the matter, government sources said on Tuesday.
The sources said the Commission had sought an explanation from Meta, which submitted its response about a week later.
Notice issued to Meta
The NCPCR had served a notice to Meta Platforms Inc. on July 3.
"NCPCR has decided to institute an inquiry to determine the facts of the matter," a source said.
NHRC orders police probe
Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the Delhi Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into allegations that paid advertisements on Meta-owned Instagram promoted Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) in India.
The Commission also asked the police to examine whether Meta and other concerned entities had complied with mandatory reporting obligations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
BBC report sparks action
The NHRC took cognisance of media reports published by the BBC World Service, which alleged that certain advertisements on Instagram used specific phrases to redirect users to channels where child sexual abuse material was allegedly being offered for sale. Acting on the reports, the Commission, through a letter dated July 8, directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to submit a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR).
Follow-up sought
The proceedings were initiated after a complaint dated July 6 was placed before the Commission. Subsequently, on July 29, the NHRC sent another communication to the Delhi Police seeking submission of the pending Action Taken Report.