NCPCR Summons Meta India Over Child Mistreatment Ads

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned Meta India officials, including Managing Director Arun Srinivas, for a hearing on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The inquiry centers on allegations that advertisements on Meta-owned platforms, specifically Instagram, were linked to child mistreatment material. The summons follows a BBC Eye investigation published on July 3, 2026, which reportedly found paid Instagram advertisements using terms associated with child mistreatment and directing users to Telegram channels where such material was allegedly being sold. The NCPCR initiated the inquiry on its own initiative after taking suo motu cognisance of the BBC report. The commission had previously issued a notice to Meta Platforms, Inc. on July 3, seeking an explanation, and received the company's response approximately a week later. After reviewing Meta's reply, the child rights panel decided to proceed with a formal inquiry to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations.