Meta removed 5.3 million pieces of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in India during the first half of 2026, the company reported. Globally, it took down 33.2 million such pieces in the same period, with over 98% of the content in India identified proactively before user reports. This action comes amid regulatory scrutiny over Meta's handling of child abuse content in the country, according to inc42.com.
The social media giant deployed new AI-powered systems and upgraded its ad review frameworks on Facebook and Instagram in India to detect and remove CSAM. Meta introduced large language model-driven systems to identify “signposting” within ads, which helps counter predators who advertise illicit material in ways that evade automated detection. Additionally, AI-driven sweeps were used to uncover missed CSAM, and “red-teaming” AI agents tested the platform’s defenses by simulating banned users creating new accounts, inc42.com detailed.
This development highlights the increasing role of AI in content moderation amid rising regulatory pressure on social media platforms. Meta’s proactive detection rate of over 98% in India surpasses the global rate of 97%, reflecting intensified efforts to combat child abuse content. The use of advanced AI techniques such as signpost safeguards and red-teaming agents marks a notable step in the ongoing challenge of policing harmful content online, according to inc42.com.
Meta’s report for the first half of 2026 underscores the scale of content moderation challenges, with 5.3 million pieces removed in India alone. The company’s AI-driven systems and enhanced ad review frameworks represent key tools in its strategy to address regulatory concerns and improve user safety on its platforms, inc42.com noted.