Meta approved and hosted dozens of paid ads containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material, according to an investigation by Wired and the Tech Transparency Project. Researchers identified more than 50 image and video ads through Meta’s public ad library. The ads appeared across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads and reportedly reached thousands of accounts. Meta has since removed them.

Meta approved and hosted dozens of paid ads containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material, according to an investigation by Wired and the Tech Transparency Project.

Researchers identified more than 50 image and video ads through Meta’s public ad library. The ads appeared across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads and reportedly reached thousands of accounts. Meta has since removed them.

The advertisements appeared between November 2025 and August 2026. They contained images of children alongside sexually suggestive text and other offensive material. Several also directed users to apps offering AI-powered “nudify” or digital undressing tools.

Tech Transparency Project Director Katie Paul said the advertisers made little effort to conceal the content or what they were promoting. She stressed that these were not ordinary posts uploaded by users. Meta reviewed and approved them as paid advertisements while collecting advertising revenue.

Meta’s advertising rules prohibit content that sexually exploits, abuses, or endangers children. The company says it reviews every advertisement before publication and reports child exploitation material to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Sexually explicit adult advertisements are also prohibited.

However, Meta uses automated systems during the review process. The investigation suggested that weaknesses in those tools may have allowed the advertisements to receive approval and remain active.

Meta told Wired that sexual exploitation is horrific and that it works aggressively to remove such material. The company said most of the identified advertisements received limited exposure and that it had already disabled many before Wired contacted it.

Meta added that several advertisements appeared before the recent introduction of new AI technology designed to identify and block policy-breaking ads during upload.

The company said it removed more than 36 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content last year and has taken legal action against developers of nudify applications. It also promised to continue improving its detection systems.

The findings follow other recent advertising controversies involving Meta. A BBC investigation reported that Instagram carried advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material, while the Consumer Federation of America sued Meta in April 2026 over its alleged failure to control scam advertisements that also violate its policies.

Get the latest tech news, telecom insights, and product launches wherever you prefer.

Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.

Technology and Automotive Specialist covering the latest cars, smartphones, AI breakthroughs, and...