Meta has denied knowingly targeting child-related advertisements after the Indian government cracked down on the company over allegations of facilitating child exploitation. The social media giant stated that it has robust safeguards in place and will cooperate fully with authorities.
Government Action and Meta's Response
The Indian government had earlier issued a notice to Meta, demanding an explanation after reports surfaced that the company was allegedly allowing ads that exploit children. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) expressed serious concern over the matter.
In a statement, Meta said, "We have not knowingly allowed ads that target children inappropriately. Our systems are designed to detect and remove such content. We are committed to working with the Indian government to address any concerns."
Details of the Allegations
Reports indicated that some advertisers were using Meta's platforms to run ads that could lead to child exploitation. The allegations included ads for escort services and other inappropriate content that could be seen by minors. According to sources, the government's notice cited specific instances where such ads were allowed to run despite Meta's policies against them.
Meta emphasized that it has invested heavily in safety tools and artificial intelligence to prevent such issues. "We have strict policies against child exploitation and use advanced technology to proactively detect violations," the company added.
Impact and Next Steps
The Indian government has given Meta a deadline to respond with detailed actions taken. If found non-compliant, the company could face penalties or stricter regulations. The incident has reignited debates about social media platforms' responsibility in protecting minors online.
Child rights activists have welcomed the government's move. "It is crucial that platforms like Meta are held accountable for the content they host," said an activist. Meta has assured that it will share more details of its safety measures soon.
