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Tezzbuzz Desk – The scope of investigation into the spread of alleged child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Instagram is increasing. Now the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also intervened in this matter. The Commission has issued notices to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting seeking their response. Both the ministries have been given two weeks to submit their reply.

According to National Human Rights Commission member Priyank Kanungo, the investigation is not limited to just identifying the person who allegedly uploaded the objectionable content. The Commission is now also investigating what role the social media platform's own editorial and publishing system played in this. Under this, it is being seen to what extent the platform's system has contributed in creating, selecting, spreading the content, increasing its reach or earning from it. In this case, the content moderation system of the social media platform is also under investigation. Investigative agencies are trying to understand how the banned content reached the platform and how effective the technical and moderation systems in place were to stop it. In such cases, it is considered important to investigate the responsibility of the platform and the steps taken by it.

At the same time, Meta has already stated about its zero tolerance policy on matters to exploitation of children. The company says that advertisements and accounts violating its rules have been removed. According to Meta, with the help of its detection system, more than 1.6 lakh suspicious accounts have been removed in India in the last six months. Meta also denied allegations that it knowingly showed such advertisements to people with inappropriate interest in children. The company claimed that various technical systems are in place on its platform to prevent content to child safety.

In this case, it was also revealed that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had summoned top officials of Meta India. A response was sought from the company, but no response was received at that time. Now after NHRC issued notice to the ministries, the investigation of the matter has become more serious. Now after NHRC has sought answers, the report and further action of the concerned ministries will be important. The purpose of the investigation is to find out what role the respective platforms and government machinery played in preventing the spread of alleged CSAM. More action is likely to be taken in the coming days in this sensitive matter to the online safety of children.