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Communications Department Applauds Court Ruling Against Meta for Child Exploitation on WhatsApp and Instagram

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2025

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The Gauteng High Court has delivered a decisive blow against the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on social media platforms, ordering Meta to shut down anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels distributing explicit content involving South African schoolchildren.

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, alongside the Film and Publication Board (FPB), welcomed the ruling, highlighting the devastating and long-lasting psychological effects such exploitation has on victims.

Court Orders Meta to Act Swiftly

Judge Mudunwazi Makamu handed down the ruling following a case brought forward by Digital Law Company, led by social media law expert Emma Sadlier, and argued by advocate Ben Winks. The judgment condemned the victimisation of children through the publication of lurid material online and mandated Meta to:

Permanently disable the creators of the offending WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles from creating further accounts.
Shut down all accounts linked to the distribution of such explicit content.
Provide information on the identities of those responsible by 12:00 on 15 July 2025.

Meta’s Position and Next Steps

Meta’s South African PR representatives have acknowledged the ruling and stated they are awaiting further instruction before responding publicly. The company is now under legal obligation to cooperate fully with the authorities to help bring perpetrators to justice.

Government’s Stance on Online Child Exploitation

Deputy Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele spoke out about the dangers of rising cybercrime involving child exploitation, emphasizing that technological advances have unfortunately made such crimes easier to perpetrate globally.

He said:

“The psychological effects on victims of child pornography are long-lasting and devastating; hence, we applaud the high court ruling.”

Gungubele urged parents and guardians to be vigilant about their children’s online activities and to educate them about the dangers of harmful and prohibited content, not just for their safety but also to avoid legal repercussions.

What Is Harmful Content?

The Communications Department defines harmful content as anything that causes emotional, psychological, or physical distress, whether distributed online or offline. This includes content that is illegal, abusive, or exploitative.

In an ongoing effort to protect South Africans, Gungubele plans to host quarterly media briefings detailing trends observed by the FPB related to harmful and prohibited content, including CSAM.

Social Media and South Africa: The Bigger Picture

This ruling highlights the growing challenge of regulating digital platforms in South Africa, where social media is deeply embedded in daily life, especially among the youth. The case underscores the need for strong, coordinated action between government bodies, tech companies, and civil society to protect vulnerable children in the digital age.

South African families and communities continue to call for increased awareness and more effective mechanisms to combat online abuse, reinforcing that while social media connects the world, it must never be a playground for exploitation.

The Gauteng High Court’s ruling sends a clear message: platforms like Meta cannot turn a blind eye to child exploitation. With ongoing monitoring by government departments and growing public vigilance, South Africa aims to create a safer online environment for its youngest citizens.

As technology evolves, so must the systems protecting our children, from legal frameworks to parental guidance, everyone has a role to play.