Meta shuts down global accounts linked to abortion advice and queer content
2 days ago
- #digital activism
- #reproductive rights
- #Meta censorship
- Meta has removed or restricted accounts of abortion access providers, queer groups, and reproductive health organizations globally.
- Over 50 organizations were affected, with bans in Europe, the UK, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
- Repro Uncensored reported 210 incidents of account removals in 2023, up from 81 in 2022.
- Meta denies targeting specific groups, stating enforcement is based on uniform rules.
- Campaigners accuse Meta of expanding Trump-era restrictions on women’s health and LGBTQ+ content globally.
- Shadow-banning and abrupt account removals have hindered organizations like Women Help Women and Jacarandas.
- Meta’s appeals process is slow, and explanations for bans are often vague or lacking.
- Organizations criticize Meta’s opaque moderation, which they say is US-centric and ignores regional contexts.
- Some banned accounts were later reinstated, including Women Help Women, which Meta called an 'error.'
- Groups like Sex Talk Arabic face frequent restrictions on sexual health content, despite legality in their regions.