Researchers have identified over 50 ads on Meta platforms that contained AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). These ads, which ran across Facebook, Threads, Messenger, and Instagram, reportedly reached thousands of accounts between November 2025 and August 2026.

The ads, discovered by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) using Meta's ad library, featured images of children with sexually suggestive text and linked to "nudify" apps. TTP Director Katie Paul stated these ads were reviewed, approved, and run by Meta, with the company collecting ad revenue. Meta's advertising standards strictly prohibit content that sexually exploits or endangers children.

Meta acknowledged the issue, stating that the majority of these ads had minimal reach and many were disabled before being reported. They also highlighted recent AI technology launched to better detect and block violating ads at upload. The company reported removing over 36 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content last year. This incident follows previous reports of Meta platforms running ads related to CSAM and Meta facing lawsuits over scam ads.