India Increases Regulatory Pressure on Meta Over Instagram Child Safety Concerns

Meta India is facing increased regulatory scrutiny after the Indian government issued warnings about both Instagram and WhatsApp. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has requested Meta to answer within seven days to severe concerns over child safety on Instagram, and WhatsApp has been instructed to stop its future username function.

The new move comes after information alleging that Instagram displayed paid advertisements supporting child sexual exploitative and abuse material (CSEAM). In response, the authorities ordered Meta to immediately remove such advertisements and information from the platform. It also urged the corporation to explain why this content appeared despite its safety regulations.

Meta stated that it has a zero-tolerance policy regarding child abuse content. The company stated that it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and remove harmful content before users report it. However, Meta admitted that scammers continue to develop new ways to avoid detection, making online safety a constant challenge.

Apart from Instagram, WhatsApp is also under government review. Last week, MeitY asked the messaging platform to halt the implementation of its WhatsApp username function. According to the government, allowing users to interact through usernames instead of phone numbers could increase the risk of impersonation, online fraud, and cybercrime if sufficient controls are not in place.

Meta has defended the feature, claiming that usernames are intended to increase user privacy by allowing users to communicate without disclosing their personal phone numbers. The company believes the functionality will improve privacy while protecting user security.

India is one of Meta's largest markets, with hundreds of millions of users on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. As a result, the government is dedicating increased attention to online safety, digital identity, and platform accountability.

According to industry experts, the latest notices serve as a reminder for technology companies to strengthen their content moderation, cybersecurity, and privacy measures. As India's digital regulations continue to evolve, major platforms such as Meta are expected to face increased scrutiny to ensure user safety and responsible use of online services.

Information referenced in this article if from CNBC