Meta Ran 50-Plus AI Child Abuse Ads, Reaching 2,563 Accounts in Europe
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Aug 5
Meta Ran 50-Plus AI Child Abuse Ads, Reaching 2,563 Accounts in Europe
3 articles · Updated · WIRED · Aug 5
Summary
More than 50 paid ads containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material were found in Meta’s ad library, with some running from November through early August across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads.
At least one ad reached 2,563 accounts in Europe, and researchers said overall exposure was likely higher because Meta’s database omits full US and some country-level performance data.
Tech Transparency Project said Meta had reviewed and approved the ads, some targeting men and linking to nudify apps; researchers found about 30 additional ads hours before publication, including some posted after WIRED contacted Meta.
Meta removed the ads after WIRED’s inquiry, said many had minimal reach, and pointed to new AI detection tools plus last year’s removal of more than 36 million child exploitation items.
The findings follow a July BBC report on Instagram ads in India promoting apparent child abuse material, underscoring how AI nudify networks keep evading platform enforcement.