The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has forwarded to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development a representation raising concerns over the reported financial association between UNICEF and Meta, apprehending that such engagements could undermine independent child-protection initiatives and ongoing efforts to hold the social media giant accountable in matters concerning child sexual abuse material (CSAM), IANS reported on Thursday, November 12.

Source: IANS

In a communication issued on Thursday, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo forwarded the representation, received from the Legal Rights Observatory, to Women and Child Development Secretary Anil Malik for information and appropriate consideration, according to IANS.

The representation flagged concerns over UNICEF's reported financial association with Meta Platforms Inc., as reflected in the organisation's annual reports for 2024 and 2025, and its collaborative engagements with various child-rights institutions and stakeholders on issues concerning children's digital safety. These are the representation's concerns, as reported — no finding against UNICEF or Meta was announced in the reports.

The representation, submitted by Legal Rights Observatory convener Vinay Joshi, also expressed apprehension, as reported by NationPress, that financial support could be used, directly or indirectly, for advocacy and institutional outreach that may project Meta as a responsible stakeholder in child protection while allegations concerning its platforms remain under scrutiny. That claim is the representation's allegation, not an established finding.

Kanoongo also forwarded the communication for information and necessary consideration to the Secretaries of the Ministries of Home Affairs, Electronics and Information Technology, and External Affairs, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), IANS reported.

He requested the Union Women and Child Development Ministry to examine the matter and take appropriate action, as deemed necessary, in the interest of child protection.

The reports did not carry a response from UNICEF or Meta to the representation. The NHRC's step is a forwarding of a representation for examination by the ministry, and what action, if any, the ministry takes will be the next development to watch.