Illustration, AI-generated from the story text. Tap a panel to read the story through it.

1 / 3Meta approved hundreds of paid ads carrying AI-altered child abuse imagery, a watchdog finds×

The finding

The Tech Transparency Project, in a report dated October 19th, found 332 paid ads on Facebook and Instagram this year that it says contained child sexual abuse material, most made with AI-altered photos of children. All passed Meta's pre-run review.

The trail

Of the 332, 298 linked to AI image or video apps in Apple's and Google's stores, 253 of those from China-based developers, and many ran through Meta's reseller partners.

The response

Meta says it does not tolerate this material, and that most of the ads had under 200 impressions and total spend under $5,000. Apple and Google pulled the flagged apps.

Sources and the full story

‹›

Meta approved hundreds of paid ads carrying AI-altered child abuse imagery, a watchdog finds

The Tech Transparency Project, in a report dated October 19th, found 332 paid ads on Facebook and Instagram this year that it says contained child sexual abuse material, most made with AI-altered photos of children. All passed Meta's pre-run review. Of the 332, 298 linked to AI image or video apps in Apple's and Google's stores, 253 of those from China-based developers, and many ran through Meta's reseller partners. Meta says it does not tolerate this material, and that most of the ads had under 200 impressions and total spend under $5,000. Apple and Google pulled the flagged apps. SourcesB

Sources

• BMeta ran hundreds of paid ads with child sexual abuse imagery (Tech Transparency Project)techtransparencyproject.org

This story ran in the Morning Brief of November 4th 2026.