Outrage as Meta AI Accuses Users of Child Exploitation

Meta Platforms is facing a growing storm of outrage as dozens of Instagram users accuse its artificial intelligence system of falsely flagging them for child sexual exploitation, leading to devastating mental and financial consequences.

Affected users said Meta abruptly disabled their Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger accounts without clear explanation. Many only found out later that Meta’s AI flagged their accounts for alleged child exploitation — a claim they strongly reject and say was never clarified.

David, an Instagram user from Aberdeen, described the ordeal as “emotionally devastating.” He said Meta shut down all his accounts on June 4 without warning. “I’ve lost sleep, felt isolated. It’s horrifying to have such a serious accusation hanging over me,” he said.

Despite appealing immediately, Meta ignored his request.

His accounts were only restored after journalists raised the case with the company on July 3. Meta emailed an apology within hours, saying, “We’re sorry that we got this wrong.”

David’s case is just one of many. Over 100 users have come forward with similar experiences, while a petition demanding change has already gathered more than 27,000 signatures.

Petitioners accuse Meta of deploying a flawed moderation system that punishes innocent users while offering little to no redress.

Faisal, a London-based digital artist and student, said the false ban cost him crucial income from Instagram commissions.

“They accused me of something I didn’t do. It broke me mentally,” he said. His account was also reinstated only after press coverage.

Salim, another affected user, called Meta’s silence during appeals “outrageous.” He said, “AI is labeling regular people as criminals. Appeals are ignored. There’s no justice.”

Meta declined to comment on individual cases or confirm whether its automated system triggered the bans.

The company insisted it uses both AI and human moderators to identify harmful content and refers legitimate cases to the U.S.-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Yet concerns persist. In South Korea, a parliamentary committee disclosed that Meta admitted wrongful bans may be occurring.

Social media researcher Dr. Carolina Are also noted that Meta rarely reveals what triggers account deletions, leaving users helpless.

For now, victims say the reputational damage, loss of income, and psychological impact remain irreversible and Meta’s silence only deepens the wound.

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