WhatsApp does not allow users to search for groups in its own app, which led to the creation of other services that did [Source: BBC]

Evidence that adverts for major brands were placed in “child abuse discovery apps” via Google and Facebook’s ad networks has led to fresh calls for the tech giants to face tougher regulation.

The apps involved used to be available on Google’s Play Store for Android devices, and directed users to WhatsApp groups containing the illegal content.

Facebook and Google said they have taken steps to address the problem.

But the NSPCC charity wants a new regulator to monitor their efforts.