Meta Under Fire In India: Government Summons Company Over Instagram Ads And WhatsApp Features

Meta, the parent company of popular social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, has found itself under intense scrutiny from the Indian government for the second time in a single week, while the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is preparing to summon the tech giant following a disturbing investigation by the BBC. This investigation alleged that Instagram was hosting paid advertisements that directed users to Telegram channels where child sexual abuse material was reportedly being sold for as little as 99 rupees. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has reportedly directed ministry officials to seek a comprehensive explanation from Meta regarding these serious lapses in content moderation and advertising review systems.

The BBC Investigation and Instagram Controversy

The controversy erupted after a BBC investigation revealed that Instagram's advertising platform was being exploited to promote highly objectionable content. According to the report, paid advertisements containing explicit keywords such as child video and rape video were appearing on the platform in India. When users clicked on these ads, they were redirected to external Telegram channels where alleged child sexual abuse material was being traded for a price of 99 rupees. To conduct this investigation, the BBC created a new Instagram account in India. Within a few days, the account began receiving obscene posts followed by advertisements featuring children in compromising positions. The BBC has claimed to have shared details of approximately 30 such advertisements and their associated Telegram channels with Indian authorities. This has raised significant questions about Instagram's automated and manual review systems, as every advertisement is supposed to pass through a moderation process before going live.

Government Action and WhatsApp Security Concerns

In addition to the Instagram controversy, the Indian government has also taken a firm stance against WhatsApp's proposed username feature. Earlier this week, MeitY issued a notice to Meta, requesting a halt on the rollout of this feature. The government expressed concerns that allowing users to create usernames instead of using phone numbers could facilitate a rise in cybercrimes, including online fraud, phishing, and the increasingly common phenomenon of digital arrest. There are also fears that this feature could make it easier for criminals to impersonate others, while the IT Ministry has asked Meta to explain why action shouldn't be taken against it under the Information Technology Act and its associated rules. Following the notice, a team from Meta met with MeitY officials, and the company has been given a 3-day window to provide a detailed response and a future plan of action to mitigate these risks.

Meta's Response and Market Dominance in India

Responding to the allegations regarding the Instagram advertisements, Meta stated that no system is perfect but emphasized that it has taken action by removing several ads, suspending offending accounts, and blocking various URLs, while however, the BBC report noted that when one of the ads was initially reported, Instagram's automated response claimed it didn't violate community guidelines, only for the company to take action later. India remains Meta's largest market globally, with a combined user base of over 1 billion across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. WhatsApp alone has more than 600 million users in the country, while Instagram's reach is estimated between 410 million and 550 million. Facebook also maintains a massive presence with 400 to 500 million users, with some reports suggesting its user base in India reached 70 crore and 68 lakh as of June 2026.

Demographics and Financial Power

The demographic profile of Meta's users in India makes these safety concerns even more critical. Approximately 33 point 3 percent of the user base belongs to the 25 to 34 age group, and about 63 percent of all users are under the age of 35. In terms of gender distribution, men account for 68 to 70 percent of the users, while women make up 30 to 32 percent. Financially, Meta is a global powerhouse with a market value of approximately 1 point 48 trillion dollars. According to Statista, the company's total assets exceed 366 billion dollars, with net equity of around 217 billion dollars. In 2025, Meta reported an annual revenue of approximately 200 billion and 100 million dollars, with a net profit of 60 billion and 460 million dollars. Despite this immense financial strength, the company now faces the challenge of navigating India's strict regulatory environment and ensuring the safety of its hundreds of millions of young users.