Meta has removed dozens of sexually explicit advertisements from Facebook and Instagram in India after government officials warned the content was being used to distribute banking malware.

Key Points

• Indian authorities identified malicious Android applications, such as "Night Play" and "Kyss," that use pornographic thumbnails to lure users into downloading banking-stealing malware.
• The fraudulent apps are designed to capture one-time passwords and bank PINs, allowing attackers to drain funds from victims' accounts without their knowledge.
• India reported nearly $2.4 billion in cyber-fraud losses during 2025, highlighting the risks associated with the country's rapid expansion of digital payment systems.
• Meta’s internal policies explicitly prohibit adult content and deceptive advertising practices, yet Reuters identified 39 active malicious ads following the government's initial advisory.
• This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that the Indian government has intervened regarding financial fraud occurring on major global technology platforms.

Why it Matters

This crackdown highlights the ongoing struggle major tech platforms face in policing automated advertising systems against sophisticated financial scams. As digital payment adoption grows, the prevalence of these malicious campaigns poses a significant threat to consumer financial security and platform trust.