NEW DELHI: Meta will report child-safety matters directly to India’s national cybercrime portal, the company said, amid mounting govt scrutiny over allegations that paid advertisements linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) appeared on Instagram.Until now, Meta primarily routed child-safety reports through the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The commitment will establish a direct reporting route to National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, managed by Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the home ministry.Govt described the decision as a first step, stressing that “much more” needed to be done. “Online safety of children is a fundamental principle for any social media platform to operate in India and it is non-negotiable,” officials said.A Meta spokesperson said it would report child safety matters directly to the cybercrime portal managed by I4C “to collectively strengthen our efforts to combat this harm”, adding that the company would work with govt to ensure perpetrators were held accountable.The commitment does not conclude National Commission for Protection of Child Rights’ inquiry. Meta India’s managing director and country head is expected to appear personally before the commission Wednesday.Senior Meta executives appeared on Sept 9 but cited urgent reasons for the India head’s absence, according to officials. The commission insisted on his personal appearance and fixed a second hearing for 3pm on Sept 16.NCPCR took suo motu cognisance on July 3 of a BBC Eye report alleging Instagram approved advertisements directing users to Telegram channels where child sexual abuse material was sold.
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NHRC asked Delhi Police to examine compliance with mandatory reporting obligations under Pocso Act.Meta has said it has disabled around 1.6 lakh accounts in India for child-safety policy violations. Govt is also pressing other platforms to proactively detect, report and remove such material.Details of when direct reporting will begin, which incidents Meta will report, and how quickly it will alert authorities have not been disclosed.NCPCR has also summoned the vice-president of Capgemini at 4pm Wednesday over alleged child abuse at a day care centre operated by the company in Bengaluru.
