The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Meta and the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of eight states over concerns regarding the alleged circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and age-inappropriate content on Facebook and Instagram.

The Commission has sought detailed responses on the measures being taken to identify, remove and investigate such content, amid growing regulatory scrutiny of the social media company in India.

NHRC Flags Possible POCSO Violations

The human rights watchdog expressed concern that some of the reported content could potentially fall under offences punishable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Speaking to media, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the allegations warrant a criminal investigation if the material is verified as child sexual abuse content, particularly where monetised or paid content is involved.

He stated that an FIR should be registered against Meta if investigators establish violations of applicable laws.

Authorities Asked to Investigate

As part of its proceedings, the NHRC has directed police authorities in eight states to examine the allegations and initiate appropriate legal action wherever necessary.

The Commission has also included the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in the matter and has reportedly shared 50 URLs with the concerned authorities to facilitate the investigation.

Kanoongo warned that if police and government agencies fail to act despite receiving the evidence, the Commission may recommend action against officials responsible for inaction.

Meta Under Increasing Regulatory Scrutiny

The latest notice comes at a time when Meta is facing increased attention from Indian regulators over its content moderation practices.

Earlier this week, company representatives met senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology following the temporary removal of a video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi from one of Meta's platforms.

Government officials reportedly sought an explanation for the incident and reviewed the company's compliance with existing content moderation and platform governance requirements.

Meta later stated that the removal occurred because of an erroneous takedown and apologised for the incident.

Meeting Covered Child Safety Measures

According to reports, the meeting between Meta officials and MeitY also included discussions on the company's efforts to combat child sexual abuse material, address AI-generated or synthetic content, and strengthen safeguards before removing content posted by verified public figures.

Officials also reviewed Meta's existing mechanisms for detecting harmful content and ensuring compliance with Indian regulations relating to online safety.

Investigation Underway

The NHRC's notices do not constitute a finding of guilt against Meta. The Commission has sought explanations from the company and the concerned state police authorities before deciding on further action.

The case is expected to remain under close watch as investigators assess whether the reported content violates Indian criminal law and child protection legislation.