Centre Summons Meta Over Instagram Child Abuse Ads, WhatsApp Cybercrime Concerns

The Indian government is set to summon representatives from Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp, to address grave concerns regarding content on its platforms. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has expressed serious objections to advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) allegedly appearing on Instagram.

This move comes as the Centre seeks a comprehensive explanation from Meta regarding the alleged presence of such objectionable content. Authorities are particularly focused on potential violations of the Information Technology (IT) Act and its associated rules, which mandate platforms to ensure user safety and promptly remove illegal content. The government underscores its unwavering commitment to protecting children online.

In a separate but related development, the government has also raised questions about a new feature introduced on WhatsApp. The Centre has asked Meta to clarify how this feature might increase cybercrimes and what measures the company is implementing to mitigate such risks. The demand for an explanation highlights regulatory vigilance over new digital functionalities that could compromise user security.

These actions collectively signal the Indian government's firm stance on holding social media giants accountable for content moderation and user safety within the country. The Centre is keen on ensuring that digital platforms operating in India adhere strictly to local laws and proactively safeguard users, particularly vulnerable populations like children, from online exploitation and criminal activities.