NHRC Orders Criminal Action

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of six states and Union Territories to register First Information Reports (FIRs) against Meta Platforms over alleged violations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Instagram and Facebook.

According to reports, the Commission issued the directions after taking cognisance of allegations that pornographic and age-inappropriate content, potentially containing child sexual abuse material, was accessible through Meta-owned platforms.

The order applies to police authorities in Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal and Delhi.

Complaint Triggered Investigation

The Commission acted on a complaint submitted by a non-profit organisation, which reportedly received anonymous information regarding several Instagram and Facebook links allegedly containing or facilitating access to CSAM.

The organisation clarified that it had neither viewed nor downloaded the suspected content and had only shared the URLs with authorities for investigation, stating that it acted in compliance with the POCSO Act and the Information Technology Act.

In its notice dated August 3, the NHRC directed the concerned authorities to investigate the allegations and initiate legal action wherever cognisable offences are established.

Police Asked to Register FIRs

The NHRC has instructed state police cyber crime units and Special Juvenile Police Units to examine the reported URLs and register FIRs wherever offences under the POCSO Act or other applicable laws are found.

Police have also been directed to identify those responsible for uploading or circulating the content, rescue any identified child victims, produce them before the Child Welfare Committee, and coordinate with agencies including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and Meta.

The Commission has sought detailed Action Taken Reports (ATRs) from all concerned authorities within one week.

Directions Issued to Meta and MeitY

The NHRC has also issued specific directions to Meta and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Meta has been asked to immediately remove the reported content, preserve metadata, IP logs and other digital evidence, comply with mandatory reporting obligations under the POCSO Act, and provide details of the preventive mechanisms adopted to detect and prevent child sexual abuse material on its platforms.

MeitY has been directed to submit a report on the blocking of the identified URLs, action taken against the intermediary and measures being implemented to strengthen online child safety.

Inquiry Linked to Earlier BBC Investigation

The latest directions follow an earlier NHRC proceeding initiated after a BBC World Service investigation alleged that paid advertisements on Instagram promoted or facilitated access to child sexual abuse material through coded search terms before redirecting users to Telegram channels.

Following those reports, the NHRC had instructed Delhi Police to conduct a detailed investigation, preserve electronic evidence and examine whether Meta fulfilled its legal obligations to report suspected offences under Sections 19 and 20 of the POCSO Act.

The Commission later issued a reminder after Delhi Police failed to submit its Action Taken Report within the prescribed deadline.

Separate NCPCR Probe Underway

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also initiated a separate inquiry into allegations that Meta's platforms were used to facilitate access to child sexual exploitation material.

The Commission sought an explanation from Meta after taking suo motu cognisance of the BBC investigation. Government sources said the company's response has been received and is under examination.

The NHRC has reiterated that every instance involving the creation, circulation or continued availability of child sexual abuse material constitutes a continuing violation of children's dignity, privacy and fundamental human rights, requiring urgent investigation, victim rehabilitation and prosecution of those responsible.