The non-profit Tech Transparency Project (TTP) reported that 332 advertisements containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were published on Facebook and Instagram, operated by Meta, in 2026 alone.
SecurityTech Transparency ProjectMeta
Massive volume of child sexual abuse material ads found on Meta SNS, including AI-generated images of real children
This article is a translation. Read the Japanese original
According to TTP's investigation of the Meta Ad Library, these advertisements depicted children appearing to be from toddler age to early teens engaging in sexual acts. This included images where photos of real children were processed with AI to make them appear as if they were engaging in sexual activity. TTP reported that the manipulated images utilized photos of a 14-year-old influencer, minors from European royal families, and girls from stock photo sites.
Many of these advertisements were placed on Meta platforms by three Chinese ad resellers on behalf of Chinese clients. A common pattern among many of these ads involved showing AI-manipulated images of children following adult pornographic footage.
Meta conducts pre-screening before advertisements are published and prohibits content that sexually exploits or endangers children. However, TTP stated it confirmed that over 200 CSAM advertisements were published even after the introduction of AI-based automated detection technology. TTP also pointed out issues regarding Meta's responses to some of the advertisements reported individually—where Meta responded that they "did not violate advertising standards"—as well as inconsistencies in the removal process.
Sources
- FacebookやInstagramに児童の性的虐待コンテンツを含む広告が大量掲載されていたとの報告、実在の子どもの写真をAI加工した広告も （GIGAZINE, 2026-09-09）