Meta Under Fire: Delhi Police File FIR Over Child Sexual Abuse Content
Delhi Police registers an FIR against Meta platforms over the availability of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) following NHRC directions.
In a significant move to combat online exploitation, the Delhi Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the presence of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) on platforms operated by Meta. This legal action follows direct instructions from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
NHRC Intervention Leads to Legal Action
The development was confirmed by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo, who took to the social media platform X to announce the police action. Kanoongo stated that the FIR was lodged against Meta's platforms after the commission issued directions to the authorities to address the availability of harmful child exploitation content.
A Timeline of Regulatory Pressure
The FIR is the culmination of a series of inquiries and summons involving Meta India. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has been aggressively pursuing the matter for months:
- July 3: The NCPCR issued an initial notice to Meta seeking an explanation regarding CSEAM advertisements.
- July 10: Meta submitted its formal response to the commission.
- September 16: Following the response, the NCPCR launched a formal inquiry and summoned the Managing Director and Head of Meta India for a hearing.
Meta's Response and Policy Shift
Under persistent pressure from the NCPCR, Meta has reportedly revised its internal policies regarding the reporting of child sexual abuse. The company has now started reporting such cases directly to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (14C), which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
A spokesperson for Meta emphasized that the safety of children on its platforms—which include Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—remains a top priority. The company stated its commitment to collaborating with the Indian government to ensure that perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable.
"To collectively strengthen our efforts to combat this harm, Meta will now report child safety matters directly to the Cybercrime portal managed by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (14C)," the spokesperson added.
The Role of the I4C
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem by coordinating between various law enforcement agencies. Its goal is to enhance India's response to cybercrime through technology-driven solutions and capacity building, making it the central hub for reporting and tackling digital crimes against children.
Other Pending Inquiries
While the Meta case dominates the headlines, the NCPCR is also investigating other allegations of child abuse. This includes a separate matter involving a day care centre operated by Capgemini in Bengaluru, for which the company's Vice President was summoned for a hearing on September 16.