Instagram slammed for deletion of queer accounts: 'Erasure, not moderation'

Instagram has deleted multiple UK queer-inclusive arts organisations from its platform, leaving creatives without needed work.

In January, Meta – the social media giant that owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads – admitted to removing inoffensive LGBTQ+ posts, claiming this was due to a “technical error.”

Several queer-inclusive UK organisations are now reporting that their Instagram accounts are being deleted without any warning, leaving them with no way to network.

A total of 52,000 followers have been lost across Cybertease, a sex worker collective and workers’ co-op, UK Sex Worker Pride and the Sexquisite Podcast – all of which have been deleted – with owners of the accounts reporting that appeals were rejected within eight minutes with no human review.

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