NCPCR Tightens Scrutiny on Meta and Capgemini Over Child Safety Concerns

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has ramped up its efforts to hold major corporations accountable, issuing fresh summons to both Meta India and Capgemini. The commission has mandated that leadership from both organizations appear for hearings on September 16, as part of two separate but equally grave inquiries concerning the safety and protection of children.

Meta Summoned Over CSEAM Advertisements

The investigation into Meta centers on alarming allegations that Instagram’s advertising platform was utilized to promote Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM). The inquiry was sparked by a BBC Eye report, which revealed that paid advertisements containing explicit search terms were appearing on Instagram, effectively directing users to private channels on the messaging app Telegram. These channels reportedly facilitated the sale of illicit content for as little as Rs 99.

The NCPCR originally initiated a suo motu case on July 3, demanding an explanation from the tech giant regarding these security lapses. While Meta submitted a preliminary response shortly thereafter, the commission found the gravity of the issue necessitated a formal, ongoing inquiry.

This week’s summons marks the second time in recent days that Meta’s India head has been called to testify. The persistent pressure from the child rights body has already yielded some operational changes; acknowledging the regulatory scrutiny, Meta has begun reporting identified instances of child sexual abuse directly to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has also taken a firm stance, previously issuing a strict notice to the platform and ordering the immediate removal of all advertisements linked to such exploitative material. The upcoming September 16 hearing aims to delve deeper into how these ads bypassed Meta’s existing safety filters, which officially prohibit sexually explicit content and nudity.

Capgemini Executives Called Following Day Care Abuse Case

In a parallel move, the NCPCR has summoned the Vice President of Capgemini to appear at 4 PM on September 16. This inquiry focuses on a harrowing case of child abuse reported earlier this year at a day care facility located within the company’s technology park in Bengaluru’s Brookefield area.

The case gained national attention in July when two caregivers employed at the facility were taken into police custody. The arrests followed the discovery of disturbing videos showing children being subjected to physical mistreatment, including instances where toddlers were locked inside bathrooms or placed into washing machines.

The Commission’s decision to summon the senior executive underscores its commitment to ensuring corporate accountability for the safety of dependents in company-run facilities. During the hearing, officials are expected to evaluate the extent of the firm’s oversight and determine culpability regarding the lapses that led to the trauma of the children in their care.

These dual summons represent a significant push by the NCPCR to enforce stricter standards of child protection, whether within the digital spaces managed by global tech conglomerates or in physical infrastructure maintained by private enterprises.

Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.

Source: Read Original News