Instagram and Threads delete accounts unfairly, ban for trifles

The topic "Moderation Errors in Threads" is gaining popularity on the social platform Threads. Users are widely complaining about overly strict moderation, account bans, or restrictions for posting links to controversial websites.

As The Verge reports, confusion reigns in Threads. Many accounts are being deleted for allegedly being underage, even though this is not the case. The system also automatically limits posts containing information about real-world events, such as hurricanes. Additionally, posts mentioning crackers or the phrase "cracker jacks" are immediately removed. A journalist from The Verge was banned after joking that she "wanted to die" because of the heat.

Instagram and Threads head Adam Mosseri has personally responded to some of these complaints, saying he is "looking into it." Meanwhile, social media consultant Matt Navarra, who received a notification that his Threads account had been downgraded after he posted a story about how Tom Brady fell for a prank by Meta AI, also received a reply from Mosseri: "Looking into it..."

The Instagram account of The Verge journalist Umar Shakir was blocked on Tuesday. Meta stated that the reason for the block was his age — claiming the author was under 13 years old, the minimum age required to register on the platform. Meta gave him 30 days to appeal the decision, requesting an ID verification. Although Shakir submitted his personal information, Meta still insisted that he was under 13.

The notification from Meta stated, "Our system detected that your account or activity on it does not comply with our rules. As a result, one of our staff members has taken action." The decision was final, with no option for further appeal. All posts and connections Shakir had built over the years were lost. He described the experience as feeling like "losing a part of himself." Meta allowed him to download his data before its permanent deletion, but the link provided was broken.

It is noted that Meta has been under scrutiny from regulators for its platforms' usage by young people and has implemented measures to limit the actions of underage users. However, it seems that its algorithms are malfunctioning both in detecting users' ages and in moderating the content they post.