Instagram Algorithm Promotes Vast Network of Pedophiles Seeking Child Abuse Material

Meta has set up a task force to counter child exploitation following a report finding Instagram promoted child-sex material and allowed pedophiles to operate accounts openly sharing sexual content of minors.
Instagram's algorithms have enabled a network of pedophiles seeking illegal underage sexual content and activity, connecting them and guiding them to content sellers.
Researchers found accounts on Instagram advertised using explicit hashtags and offering "menus" of content for users to buy or commission.
Meta acknowledged receiving reports of child sexual abuse on Instagram that the company failed to act on.
Between 2020 and 2022, Meta dismantled 27 networks and disabled over 490,000 accounts for violating child-safety policies, though more work is still needed.