The Tech Transparency Project, a US-based research organization, released findings indicating that Meta platforms hosted approximately 332 advertisements containing artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse material over a 10-month period. The report, published on Tuesday, detailed ads that appeared across Facebook and Instagram in multiple countries including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, and India.
In India specifically, 84 of these advertisements were identified, with 78 running after the Indian government had ordered Meta to remove all content and ads promoting child sexual abuse material. This government directive came following a BBC investigation that revealed Instagram was displaying paid advertisements promoting such material in the country. The research group reported that the majority of the 332 total ads, with 274 instances, appeared in August this year.
According to the Tech Transparency Project’s analysis, the advertisements typically began with photographs of actual children, which were then manipulated using artificial intelligence technology to depict graphic sexual acts. The organization stated it identified images of real children, including a member of a European royal family, that were used in this manner. The ads predominantly directed users toward artificial intelligence image and video generation applications, primarily developed by Chinese companies.
When informed of these findings, Meta stated it does not tolerate child exploitation content, whether real or AI-generated, and emphasized that criminal actors continuously adapt their methods to evade detection systems. The company reported that when it becomes aware of apparent child exploitation, it notifies the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in accordance with legal obligations. However, advocates for child protection in India have questioned whether this reporting mechanism adequately addresses local legal requirements, with one children’s rights organization filing a petition in India’s Supreme Court requesting mandatory reporting to Indian law enforcement agencies.
Meta indicated that many flagged advertisements had already been removed prior to the report’s publication, noting that most had fewer than 200 impressions and the total advertising spending was under $5,000. The company stated it had strengthened detection systems and enforcement mechanisms in response to the investigation.
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