Meta removes ads for fraud apps posing as porn after India sounds alarm
The government said ads on Facebook and Instagram operating under names such as "Night Play" and "Kyss" directed users to phishing websites. It said it had observed a rise in financial fraud involving what it described as "malicious Android applications masquerading as pornography apps".
Meta removed dozens of advertisements on Monday following a warning from Indian authorities. The ads, which featured sexually explicit content, were allegedly used to lure users into downloading fraudulent apps that could steal sensitive banking information. India reported cyber-fraud losses of nearly $2.4 billion in 2025, with the government linking the rise to malicious Android applications disguised as pornographic apps.
Reuters found at least 39 of these ads still active despite India's advisory, many of which employed sexually explicit thumbnails to entice clicks. Meta promptly took down all the ads after they were brought to the company's attention. The social media giant's policies prohibit ads containing adult nudity, sexual activity, or deceptive practices intended to scam users.
This is the second time in recent weeks that India has expressed concerns about financial fraud on a major technology platform.
Written by urgent.news from Economic Times Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Meta removes ads for fraud apps posing as porn after India sounds alarm channelnewsasia.com
