Meta apologizes for AI child abuse ads and Modi post removal

On August 5, 2026, Meta faced backlash after reports that its platforms ran ads containing AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery, and for temporarily restricting a post by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meta apologized for both incidents, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressing regret over the deepfakes and child abuse content. The company also clarified that it had apologized to an Indian minister for the Modi post error, which it attributed to a technical glitch. In the U.S., a House panel demanded that Zuckerberg testify about the child abuse ad issue. Additionally, Meta warned that it could lose 'safe harbour' protection in India if the Modi post removal is seen as a violation of the country's IT rules.