Meta shuts down accounts from gender rights and abortion movement

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been removing accounts linked to gender rights, queer rights, and abortion advocacy groups, raising concerns about censorship and insufficient safeguards. The removals, which have increased in recent months, have disproportionately affected accounts in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, sparking debate about platform accountability and content moderation practices. The Digital Services Act (DSA) mandates detailed justifications and appeal options for such decisions, which Meta has been accused of failing to provide. A recent investigation by Repro Uncensored revealed a significant increase in restricted accounts this year, with 210 accounts facing removal or severe limitations compared to 81 last year. The Queer Agenda Amsterdam is one of the organizations affected. Meta claims half of the removals were due to violations of its guidelines and the other half due to a platform error, but transparency remains a challenge. Meta's past actions, such as the inability to search for certain terms, also raises questions about potential bias in their content moderation. These actions impact gender and queer rights organizations, restricting their ability to connect and share information. The lack of transparency and proper justification from Meta, in light of the DSA, undermines the rights of affected users. The European Commission, responsible for enforcing platform regulations, should investigate Meta's actions and demand concrete evidence to verify the claims. The situation highlights the broader implications of platform control over digital discourse and the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights online. The incident calls for greater transparency and accountability from large platforms to ensure compliance with European digital regulations.