'First step towards safety': Meta to report child sexual abuse cases to law enforcement

Meta, the social media giant, has reached an agreement to report instances of child sexual abuse to the relevant law enforcement agencies in India, according to government sources. This significant step was announced on Tuesday, as the government continues to work with social media platforms to address harmful content and ensure compliance with Indian laws.

Government officials emphasized that the online safety of children is a "fundamental principle" that cannot be compromised. They stated that while Meta's agreement marks a positive beginning, more work is required to ensure the platforms are completely safe for children. The government is actively engaging with other platforms to encourage proactive identification and removal of harmful content, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Failure to take such measures could result in consequences for the platforms. The development follows discussions between Meta and government officials regarding the company's compliance with Indian laws and its content moderation systems. In previous meetings, officials sought detailed information about Meta's algorithms, content moderation mechanisms, and compliance processes, specifically focusing on safeguards against CSAM and deepfake content.

Government sources noted that platforms cannot operate in India based solely on US laws, stressing their responsibility towards society and Indian law. Additionally, the government questioned Meta's eligibility for safe-harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, which protects intermediaries from liability for third-party content, provided certain conditions are met.