Google to report child abuse content directly to Indian authorities

On Monday, September 22, 2026, Google announced it will begin reporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) directly to Indian authorities, diverging from the current global practice of routing such reports through a U.S. non-profit. This move aligns with a recent announcement by Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram. The shift comes after Indian government officials urged major tech companies like Google and Microsoft to report CSAM concerning India directly, citing delays in the existing system.

Google's spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to detecting, deterring, removing, and reporting CSAM, describing the proposal as part of its ongoing discussions with the Indian government. India is the largest market for both Meta's Facebook and Google's YouTube platforms. Previously, both companies reported CSAM to the U.S.-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which then relayed reports to local law enforcement.

Indian officials argued that the existing intermediary caused significant time delays, especially in cases where children were at immediate risk. Overall, child sexual abuse material is a pervasive global issue, with the CyberTipline receiving over 21.3 million reports in 2025. Both tech giants and law enforcement have been advocating for faster detection and reporting, though most countries still rely on the U.S. nonprofit as the primary clearing house for such reports.