NHRC notice to Meta, MeitY, Etah district administration over alleged exploitation of minors
NHRC issues notices to Meta, MeitY, and Etah district over alleged exploitation of minors in objectionable social media videos.
The complaint raised concerns over the children’s dignity, privacy, psychological well-being, informed parental consent and possible exploitation by adults controlling or facilitating the content
Updated - September 29, 2026 12:44 pm IST - New Delhi
Meta has been asked to explain how the content was repeatedly uploaded and circulated, whether it generated any monetisation or commercial benefit, and what steps were taken to preserve relevant digital evidence and address the material. File | Photo Credit: Reuters
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday (September 28, 2026) issued notice to Meta, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Etah district administration over a complaint alleging that minor children were repeatedly scripted and used in objectionable and politically sensitive social media videos linked to an Instagram account stated to be operated from Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district.
NHRC bench, presided over by member Priyank Kanoongo, in its notice has cited a complaint from Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation alleging that children, including those from socially and economically vulnerable backgrounds, were being scripted, tutored, and repeatedly made to appear in videos containing abusive, derogatory and politically charged expressions, which were subsequently uploaded and circulated publicly for digital reach and engagement.
The complaint raised concerns over the children’s dignity, privacy, psychological well-being, informed parental consent and possible exploitation by adults controlling or facilitating the content.
In the notice, the NHRC sought action-taken reports within two weeks from the authorities concerned and directed SSP Etah to identify the children, ensure their protection and counselling, and investigate the roles of those allegedly scripting, recording, uploading and circulating the videos. The police have also been asked to register an FIR if a cognisable offence is disclosed and preserve relevant digital evidence.
The District Magistrate has been directed to ensure appropriate care, protection and rehabilitation measures through the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Unit.
Meta has been asked to explain how the content was repeatedly uploaded and circulated, whether it generated any monetisation or commercial benefit, and what steps were taken to preserve relevant digital evidence and address the material.
MeitY has been directed to examine the platform’s due diligence, child-safety and grievance-redressal mechanisms.
Published - September 29, 2026 12:39 pm IST
Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.
