Meta Ran Ads That Contained AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Imagery

Meta ran dozens of paid advertisements containing AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery over the last nine months, according to researchers at the Tech Transparency Project who discovered the ads in Meta's ad library. The researchers found more than 50 image and video ads published between November and early August that reached users in the United States, United Kingdom, and more than a dozen European countries. Some ads linked to so-called nudify or undressing applications and at least one reached 2,563 accounts in Europe. Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project, said the ads made no effort to mask the images and were reviewed, approved, and allowed to run by Meta. After WIRED contacted Meta, the company removed the ads for violating policies on child sexual abuse and exploitation material and adult sexual solicitation. A Meta spokesperson said the majority of ads had minimal reach and many were disabled before the inquiry, adding that some predated new AI detection technology. Researchers discovered around 30 additional ads hours before publication, including some published after WIRED's initial inquiry. Paul said identical ads previously removed for violations reappeared, raising questions about enforcement. In early July, a BBC investigation found similar ads promoting apparent child sexual abuse material in India.