New Delhi, August 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intensified its scrutiny of Meta over the alleged circulation of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on its platforms, Instagram and Facebook, by issuing fresh notices while continuing to monitor an earlier investigation linked to reports of such content being promoted online.
In a notice issued on August 3, the Commission took cognisance of a complaint filed by a non-profit foundation, which said it had received an anonymous tip regarding pornographic and age-inappropriate links on Instagram and Facebook that could contain CSAM. The organisation submitted a list of URLs solely for investigation and stated that it neither accessed nor downloaded, viewed or stored the content, citing compliance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The NHRC directed the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Directors General of Police of West Bengal, Haryana, Odisha, Chandigarh and Delhi, along with Meta’s Head of Law Enforcement (India), to submit detailed Action Taken Reports within one week.
The Commission instructed the concerned police authorities to examine the URLs through cyber crime units or Special Juvenile Police Units, register FIRs wherever cognisable offences are disclosed, identify and prosecute those responsible, coordinate with MeitY, Meta, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and ensure the immediate rescue and production of any identified child victims before the Child Welfare Committee.
MeitY has been asked to report on measures taken to block the identified URLs, action initiated against the intermediary, and long-term child protection safeguards. Meta has been directed to remove the reported content, preserve metadata and IP logs, comply with mandatory reporting obligations under Section 19 of the POCSO Act, and provide details of its preventive mechanisms.
The latest action follows an earlier NHRC notice issued on July 8 after the Commission took cognisance of a BBC World Service report alleging that paid Instagram advertisements promoted CSAM in India using terms such as “rape video” and “child video” and redirected users to Telegram channels where such material was allegedly offered for sale.
According to the report, the advertisements had allegedly passed Meta’s review process and remained accessible despite being reported through the platform’s grievance mechanism until the issue was specifically raised by the BBC.
Acting on the NHRC’s directions, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar initiated a priority investigation and is overseeing the registration of an FIR against Meta under the POCSO Act and other applicable laws. The NHRC Bench, headed by member Priyank Kanoongo, is examining the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
In its earlier directions, the Commission had instructed Delhi Police to preserve electronic evidence, including advertisement records, metadata and financial trails, identify advertisers, perpetrators and victims, and examine whether Meta complied with its statutory reporting obligations under Sections 19 and 20 of the POCSO Act. The Commission also referred to potential liability under Section 23(3) of the Act.
Citing the Supreme Court’s judgment in Just Rights for Children Alliance & Another vs S. Harish & Others, the NHRC reiterated that intermediaries are required to report suspected POCSO offences to both the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Special Juvenile Police Unit or local police.
On July 29, the Commission issued a reminder to Delhi Police after the Action Taken Report was not submitted within the stipulated timeframe, warning that failure to comply could result in the exercise of its powers under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act.
The NHRC has maintained that every instance involving the creation or continued circulation of CSAM amounts to an ongoing violation of a child’s dignity, privacy and human rights, requiring prompt action to rescue victims, ensure rehabilitation and prosecute those responsible.
Separately, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has decided to initiate a formal inquiry into allegations relating to child sexual exploitative and abuse material on Meta’s platforms. The move follows Meta’s response to a notice issued by the Commission on July 3 after it took suo motu cognisance of the BBC Eye report. Government sources said the inquiry will examine whether Meta complied with applicable child protection and intermediary obligations in relation to the alleged content.
FOLLOW NOW
