Instagram users worldwide are furious and confused as Meta, its parent company, continues to suspend accounts without clear reasons. Many say they’ve been wrongly accused of violating child safety rules, losing precious memories, business connections, and even facing emotional distress. Despite thousands of complaints, Meta denies a widespread issue—but user stories tell a different tale.
The Unjust Suspensions: Real Stories
Yassmine Boussihmed, a boutique owner from the Netherlands, spent five years growing her dress shop’s Instagram page—only to see it vanish overnight. After the BBC intervened, her account was restored, but her personal profile was banned again minutes later.
Lucia, a 21-year-old from Texas, was suspended for allegedly breaking child exploitation rules. She suspects a bikini photo with a friend triggered Meta’s AI moderation. After the BBC reached out, her account was mysteriously reinstated—with no explanation.
Ryan, a former teacher from London, faced two bans over false child safety violations. Meta later admitted its mistake, but days after the BBC inquired, he was banned again—this time on Facebook too.

Why Is This Happening?
Over 36,000 people have signed a petition accusing Meta of unfair bans. Users believe the company’s AI moderation is flawed, with no human review unless they pay for Meta Verified. Even then, many feel ignored.
Meta has not addressed these claims but states AI is key to its content review process. Meanwhile, its child safety policy has changed three times since December, raising questions about consistency.
The Real-Life Impact
For Duncan Edmonstone, a cancer patient from Cheshire, Facebook support groups are a lifeline. A 12-day ban left him isolated, proving these suspensions have real-world consequences.
What’s Next?
With Meta staying silent, users are left in limbo—worrying about lost businesses, reputations, and even police involvement. As complaints grow, will Meta finally take responsibility?