Child safety 'non-negotiable': Meta agrees to report sexual abuse cases to law enforcement in India

Meta has agreed to report child safety-related matters, including cases involving child sexual abuse, to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, government officials said on Tuesday.

The development follows discussions between the government and social media platforms over steps to limit harmful content and improve protections for children online. Meta has also sent a letter to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) confirming its decision, a ministry official told Hindustan Times.

The government said the move was an important beginning but stressed that platforms would need to do more to ensure children remain safe online.

Government says more action is needed

The government described online child safety as a fundamental requirement for social media platforms operating in India and said it was “non-negotiable”.

It called Meta’s decision to report child safety-related matters to law enforcement agencies a “first step” towards making social media platforms safer for children.

At the same time, the government said its engagement with social media companies would continue. Other platforms are also being asked to identify and remove harmful content involving children proactively.

It warned that action could be taken against platforms that fail to put adequate safeguards in place.

Meta under scrutiny over child abuse material

The government’s statement comes as Meta faces increased scrutiny over child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) allegedly being promoted through Instagram advertisements.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had summoned Meta India executives as part of an inquiry after reports emerged that Instagram ads were being used to facilitate access to such material.

A Tech Transparency Project investigation published this month reported finding more than 300 Meta ads containing child sexual abuse material. The investigation also said some of the material involved AI-manipulated images of real children. Meta removed a large number of the ads after the findings were brought to its attention.

Meta outlines child safety measures

Meta has said it relies on AI-powered systems, hash matching and other tools to detect and remove content linked to child exploitation.

In July, the company said it had removed around four million accounts and 36 million pieces of content associated with child exploitation worldwide during the first half of 2026. It also said about 1.6 lakh accounts in India were disabled during the period for violating its child-safety policies.

The government has maintained that platforms must continue strengthening these measures and take proactive steps to protect children online.

Meta restricts Kerala AI video

Separately, Meta restricted access in India on Monday to a viral AI-generated video showing Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan dancing with KSEB officials.

The creators said Meta cited a government notice for the restriction, while the video remained available outside India, PTI reported. It had crossed 1.78 crore views before access was restricted.

Satheesan had earlier praised the video despite it being partly intended to mock him, but later said AI-generated content could raise legal concerns.