Meta has agreed to report cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation directly to Indian law enforcement agencies. Government sources said on Tuesday. This development comes as the Centre sharpens its scrutiny of social media platforms over harmful and illegal content.
Observers view the development as a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen online safety mechanisms for children. Government sources said the safety of minors is a “fundamental principle” for every social media platform operating in the country and is “absolutely non-negotiable”.
According to the sources, Meta has agreed to report child sexual abuse cases to Indian law enforcement agencies, instead of relying only on overseas reporting mechanisms. Officials said the decision could help Indian authorities act more quickly in cases involving child sexual abuse material, online grooming, exploitation, and other illegal activity affecting minors.
The government has made it clear that platforms failing to take proactive action against harmful child-related content could face strict action under Indian laws. Sources said technology companies are expected not only to remove illegal material after complaints are received, but also to use their systems to identify, flag and prevent such content from being circulated.
“This is a first step towards making platforms safer for children, but much more needs to be done,” sources said, indicating that the Centre expects stronger and more consistent compliance from major online platforms.
The government is also in discussion with other social media and digital platforms to ensure that they adopt similar measures. The focus is on making platforms more accountable for content hosted, promoted or amplified through their services.
The move comes at a time when authorities have increased their examination of social media companies over child sexual abuse material, harmful content, deepfakes and other forms of online abuse. The Centre has repeatedly stressed that platforms cannot treat child safety as a secondary concern, particularly as digital services have become deeply embedded in the daily lives of young users.
Government officials have reportedly pressed platforms to improve the speed at which objectionable content is removed and to establish stronger internal systems for detecting material that may endanger children. They have also sought greater cooperation in investigations and quicker sharing of relevant information with enforcement agencies.
Meta had earlier come under government scrutiny over allegations concerning the handling of child sexual abuse-related content on its platforms. The company was issued a notice and its global executives were summoned to India as authorities sought explanations over safeguards, reporting mechanisms and action against illegal content.
The government’s message to technology companies has remained firm: compliance with Indian law is mandatory, and platforms must take responsibility for protecting users, particularly children, from harm.
Officials said the engagement with online platforms will continue, with the objective of building a safer digital ecosystem. The Centre is expected to keep monitoring the steps taken by social media companies and may push for further measures if platforms do not demonstrate adequate action against child exploitation content and other threats to minors.
With Meta agreeing to directly report such cases to Indian law enforcement agencies, the government sees an important beginning in its wider campaign to ensure that social media companies act faster, share information responsibly and place child protection at the centre of their operations.
