On Instagram, in India, it’s sex for sale

Facebook’s photo-sharing app Instagram may have the best of influencers, celebrities, and even Indian politicians. But it is now fast becoming a safe and popular haven for sexual solicitation.

It’s 9:43 am on a Monday and the hustle’s on. In a parallel world, an Instagram user named masti_with_sona puts out a post on “her” story. In large fonts, it features text, which reads, “DM FOR FUN…ONLY PAYTM USERS,” with three lips emojis. Here too, it’s time for business, but of a different kind.