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Centre Issues Notice to Meta Over Instagram CSAM; Cites IT Act and POCSO Act

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
07 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:7 days response timeSection 67B IT ActPOCSO ActInternet Watch Foundation (UK)Project Arachnid (Canada)
Bodies:MeitYMetaI4CMHA
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Centre (MeitY) issued notice to Meta (Instagram) over CSAM following BBC investigation.

2.Legal framework: IT Act (Section 67B) and POCSO Act criminalise CSAM and mandate reporting.

3.Government mechanisms include National Cyber Crime Reporting portal, I4C, and ISP orders to block CSAM lists from IWF/Project Arachnid.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Ministry of Electronics and IT has issued a notice to Meta over Instagram's alleged failure to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The action follows a BBC investigation and is grounded in India's IT Act and POCSO Act, which mandate strict obligations on platforms. Meta has 7 days to respond, and further regulatory action may follow.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Notice Issued ByMinistry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
RecipientMeta (Instagram)
Legal FrameworkIT Act, 2000 & POCSO Act, 2012
Response Time7 days
CSAM Blocking Lists UsedInternet Watch Foundation (UK) & Project Arachnid (Canada)
Coordination BodyIndian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Notice Issued By: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
  • ›Recipient: Meta (Instagram)
  • ›Target this Data: Meta has 7 days to respond to the notice.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the notice.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 67B of IT Act and POCSO Act provisions on child sexual abuse material.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry issued the notice to Meta over Instagram's handling of child sexual abuse material?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the legal framework against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in India:

1. The Information Technology Act, 2000 criminalises the transmission of CSAM under Section 67B.

2. The POCSO Act, 2012 mandates the reporting of offences involving children but does not apply to electronic forms of CSAM.

3. The government has directed ISPs to implement CSAM blocking lists from the Internet Watch Foundation or Project Arachnid.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

How many days has the government given to Meta to respond to the notice regarding Instagram and CSAM?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the Centre's notice to Meta over Instagram's CSAM issue?

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