Has your social media account been banned? You’re not alone. In recent months, Repro Uncensored, the nonprofit organisation monitoring digital censorship globally, has seen a steep increase in the number of reports of Meta bans, specifically involving queer and cultural communities. Accounts and followings that may have taken years to build are gone without notice or explanation.
These bans are part of a pattern of digital censorship or digital suppression, platform practices that limit the visibility or availability of important information online. This includes content removals, account suspensions, shadowbanning, and other forms of algorithmic suppression. It is one of many arguments to move away from big tech’s social media, towards alternatives where we as users are in control.
So if you’re banned, here are five things you can do. Or download, fold, and spread the word!
1. Report your ban to Repro Uncensored
Repro Uncensored can support account recovery efforts, connect you with relevant resources, and help raise awareness of your case as part of a broader pattern of platform censorship. Every report also helps to identify trends, build collective evidence, and push for greater transparency, accountability, and redress from platforms and policymakers. Here you can report your ban.
2. Challenge it!
Submit an appeal through the platform's available channels. Request a clear explanation of what policy was allegedly violated, what content triggered the action, and how the decision was made. If available, ask for a human review. Save screenshots of any notices, appeal submissions, and responses you receive. Even if your appeal is unsuccessful, creating a record can be important for future advocacy, investigations, and legal challenges.
If you're based in the European Union, you may have additional rights under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Large online platforms are required to provide information about certain moderation decisions and offer mechanisms to challenge them.
3. Redirect your audience
Are there trusted other accounts (friends, relatives, organisations you’re aligned with) that could notify your audience of your ban? Let your community know you’ve been taken offline, and ideally point them to where you are still online.
4. Love your newsletter
It might sound outdated, but a newsletter can be one of the best tools to keep in touch with your base. There’s no algorithm shadowbanning your emails, you have control over the lists, and you can move to any newsletter app or email address you want. Listmonk is a great open source newsletter app.
5. Experiment with alternatives
We need to have platforms where the control is in our hands. The open social web is the place to go. Here, social media run on open protocols, meaning that not one organisation, government or entity can shut these down. All these platforms can be linked to each other and you’re free to move to the one that suits you best. Check out Blacksky, Northsky or Eurosky for example, or if you’re looking for a place to host your own community, try Mastodon.
