Meta Platforms Ran 50+ Ads Containing AI-Generated CSAM
Original: Meta Ran Ads That Contained AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Imagery
Why This Matters
The incident raises urgent questions about Meta's ad review systems and liability under child safety regulations.
Over the past nine months, Meta ran more than 50 paid ads containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads, reaching users in the US, UK, and over a dozen European countries, according to the Tech Transparency Project.
Researchers at the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) discovered over 50 image and video ads containing explicit AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in Meta's ad transparency library. The ads, published between November 2025 and early August 2026, were targeted at users in the United States, United Kingdom, and more than a dozen European countries. Some ads linked directly to so-called 'nudify' or 'undressing' applications. At least one video ad used a thumbnail image of a child and, when clicked, superimposed the child's face onto adult sexual content. Another repeatedly posted ad showed a young girl in a sexual position with the caption 'I can show you more.' Although many ads had limited reach, at least one reached 2,563 accounts across France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. TTP Director Katie Paul stated: 'These are ads that were reviewed, approved, and allowed to run by Meta, never encountering interference while the company collected the ad dollars.' Meta subsequently removed the ads for violating its policies on CSAM, adult sexual solicitation, and nudity. This marks the second time in recent weeks that paid ads linked to CSAM were found on Meta's platforms.