Child sex abuse material on Meta: NHRC notices to IT, I&B ministries

Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the electronics and information technology (MeitY) and information and broadcasting (I&B) ministries as part of an investigation into the dissemination of child sexual abuse material on Instagram. NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo stated that the inquiry extends beyond the individual who uploads objectionable content, focusing on the platform's systems that generate, curate, recommend, and monetize content.

The commission inquired whether Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, should be considered a publisher or publisher of online curated content under IT Rules, 2021, given its active role in content generation and circulation. The NHRC has also asked MeitY and the I&B ministry to report on their regulatory status and obligations regarding Meta, as well as the actions required under existing regulations.

The inquiry follows allegations reported by BBC World Service of paid ads on Instagram featuring terms like "rape video" and "child video" leading to Telegram channels selling such material. The commission has requested action taken reports from MeitY and the I&B ministry within two weeks, inquiring about compliance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 and whether the matter was reported to the special juvenile police unit or local police.

Screenshots of Meta's systems, suggesting content ideas, audience engagement strategies, and monetization methods, were presented to the NHRC.