The blocking or suspension of a user account on Instagram or Facebook is becoming increasingly common and is most often initiated by an automated system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools operated by Meta. The system independently assesses whether a profile, post, or activity violates the platform’s Community Standards. Users typically receive only a generic, automatically generated notification, without a specific explanation as to which rule was allegedly violated or information about the next steps available to them. In such a situation, there are several steps that should be taken immediately, in the following order.

1. First Steps After an Account Has Been Blocked or Suspended

• Preserve evidence – Make sure to keep screenshots of the suspension or blocking notification, copies of any emails received, relevant dates, and any request, case, or reference numbers.
• Submit an internal appeal directly through the app – Meta is required to provide users with a free and electronic means of appealing a decision to restrict, suspend, or terminate an account.
• Request a human review (manual/human review) – If an appeal has been automatically rejected, contact Meta through its Help Centre or by email and explicitly request that the decision be reviewed by a person rather than exclusively by automated tools.

2. Privacy Centre and Requests Concerning Personal Data


If you suspect that the decision to block or terminate your account was made solely through automated processing, you may submit a request concerning the processing of your personal data through Meta’s Privacy Centre. For example, you may request access to your personal data or an explanation of the logic involved in the automated decision-making process. This procedure is separate from the standard internal appeal process and is based on rights arising under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), rather than on the platform’s Terms of Service.

3. Appeals Centre Europe (ACE) – Independent Dispute Settlement Body

Where Meta fails to respond within a reasonable period of time or rejects an appeal without providing a substantive explanation, users in the European Union may refer the matter to Appeals Centre Europe (ACE). ACE is a certified out-of-court dispute settlement body under the Digital Services Act (DSA). ACE issues a non-binding decision regarding the merits of the platform’s decision, which Meta may, but is not required to, implement.

4. When to Seek Legal Assistance

Professional legal assistance should be considered as soon as it becomes clear that the standard channels are not producing results, particularly where the user faces permanent deletion of the account and all associated data, or where the decision causes actual harm, such as in the case of a business profile, loss of a source of income, or loss of content. A lawyer specialising in digital law may simultaneously pursue remedies under the GDPR and the DSA and request urgent measures to preserve relevant data and records before they are permanently deleted.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice for any specific case, nor is it a substitute for advice from a lawyer. As each case has its own specific circumstances and applicable deadlines, users seeking to take specific action are advised to consult a professional specialising in digital law and data protection.

Authors:

Attorney at Law Stefan Martinić, CIPP/E, LL.M., Harvard Law School

Attorney at Law Filip Ožić