NHRC Member Calls for Investigation into Alleged Financial Ties Between UNICEF and Meta

New Delhi, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : Priyank Kanungo, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has requested an investigation into the alleged financial connections between UNICEF and Meta. He addressed his concerns in a letter to Anil Malik, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).

In his correspondence, Kanungo forwarded a petition from the Legal Rights Observatory, urging a thorough inquiry into the matter and appropriate actions in the interest of child protection. The letter, sent on Thursday, highlights the seriousness of the issue, especially in light of recent reports concerning activities related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on platforms owned by Meta. These reports are currently under investigation by various law enforcement agencies.

The letter emphasizes the alarming trend of monetizing content depicting child sexual exploitation, which raises significant concerns regarding the revenue generated from such material. In this context, the substantial financial contributions allegedly made by Meta to UNICEF and similar organizations cast doubt on their intentions and usage.

According to the petition from Vinay Joshi, coordinator of the Legal Rights Observatory, various organizations dedicated to protecting children’s rights are collaborating with UNICEF, Meta, and other social media companies to address digital safety and social media-related concerns. This collaboration is particularly troubling, given that UNICEF’s annual reports, especially those from 2024 and 2025, reveal financial ties with Meta Platforms Inc., which is listed among UNICEF’s corporate partners contributing significant funds to its programs.

The petition raises concerns that such financial support could be used, either directly or indirectly, to advocate for or enhance Meta’s image as a responsible entity in child protection. This occurs amid ongoing serious allegations and concerns regarding Meta’s platforms. Such arrangements could lead to a scenario where corporate funding legitimizes an organization that is currently under scrutiny.

The letter also poses fundamental questions about how an organization facing serious allegations of child exploitation can participate in child safety initiatives and advocacy efforts. It is crucial, as noted in the petition, that a company being investigated by law enforcement should not play a role in defining safety measures or accountability frameworks aimed at addressing the very concerns raised against it.

Kanungo concluded his letter by stressing the need for a careful examination of the financial contributions made by Meta to UNICEF and other organizations. He warned that such funding could lend institutional legitimacy to a platform facing serious allegations, potentially undermining broader child protection agendas. He has called for an investigation and appropriate actions to be taken in this matter.