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Meta Faces Contempt Charges as Court-Ordered Child Porn Accounts Remain Active
Tech giant Meta is skating on thin legal ice in South Africa after allegedly failing to fully comply with a High Court order demanding the immediate removal of child pornography channels from WhatsApp and Instagram. Despite a Monday ruling requiring the takedown of six WhatsApp groups and 30 Instagram profiles distributing explicit material of minors, some content remains accessible, prompting a potential contempt of court hearing on Friday.
“Whack-a-Mole” Battle Against Predators
Digital Law Company (DLC), the firm behind the legal push, says Meta has only partially complied. While some accounts were removed, the illicit content persists for users who previously followed the channels.
“Until we identify the perpetrators, we’re stuck playing ‘whack-a-mole,’” said DLC’s Rorke Wilson. “New accounts pop up as fast as we shut them down.”
Social media law expert Emma Sadleir Berkowitz, who filed the contempt application, described a relentless cycle: anonymous operators recreate banned profiles within hours, continuing to distribute videos and images of South African schoolchildren, some as young as primary school age. The material often includes victims’ names, schools, and degrading captions.
Why Meta Holds the Key
Berkowitz argues Meta is the only entity capable of stopping this “terror campaign.”
“The perpetrators won’t quit voluntarily. Meta has the data to expose them and the tools to permanently block them,” she stated in court papers.
The court had also ordered Meta to hand over creator details by Tuesday noon, but as of Thursday, no information had been provided. This delay could prove costly: if Friday’s hearing proceeds, judges may impose fines or other penalties for non-compliance.
Inside the Disturbing Content
Investigations revealed:
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Videos and images are sourced via anonymous upload links shared in schools.
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Predators solicit explicit material from minors, then redistribute it to thousands via WhatsApp’s “community channels.”
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Even when Meta deletes accounts, followers retain access to cached content.
One annexed court exhibit showed a Grade 11 learner from a Johannesburg school filmed in a bathroom stall. Another depicted a 14-year-old girl whose image circulated with her contact details, leading to harassment.
Public Outrage and Calls for Action
The case has ignited fury among parents and child safety advocates. On social media, South Africans are demanding:
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Stronger age verification for WhatsApp Channels
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Real-name registration to curb anonymity abuse
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Heftier consequences for platforms that fail to act
“How many children must be traumatized before tech companies take this seriously?” tweeted one children’s rights activist.
What Happens Next?
Friday’s hearing could escalate pressure on Meta to:
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Fully purge all court-listed accounts and associated content
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Disclose creator identities to enable criminal prosecution
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Overhaul moderation to prevent repeat offenses
With South Africa’s Film and Publications Board now monitoring the case, the outcome may set a precedent for holding social media giants accountable when they drag their feet on child exploitation.
Parents advised:
Check kids’ WhatsApp “Updates” tab for followed channels
Monitor Instagram direct messages for suspicious links
Report abusive content via Meta’s tools and demand case numbers
As Berkowitz warns: “This isn’t just ‘inappropriate content’, it’s child abuse, and every minute it stays online re-victimizes these children.”
Meta had not responded to requests for comment by publication time.
{Source: IOL}
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