Hajra Naz
On Threads, the topic of “Threads Moderation Failures” is trending as users report issues with their accounts being deleted or restricted. Many complaints stem from linking to articles on controversial topics, with some users, including myself, facing account deletion for alleged violations. Instagram and Threads head, Adam Mosseri, has been directly responding to complaints, saying he’s “looking into it.” Like others, my account was deleted under the claim that I’m a child, which is false.
Meta’s Moderation: Overly Strict?
Moderation has always been a challenge on social media platforms, but recent reports from users and The Verge staff suggest Meta is banning and restricting accounts at an unusually high rate. For example, one of my colleagues was briefly locked out after joking about wanting to die from the heat.
Others, such as Jorge Caballero, claim the automated system has added incorrect fact-checks on political content and throttled posts with accurate information on topics like hurricanes. Some users have humorously referred to the situation as “crackergate,” where innocent mentions of words like “saltines” or “cracker jacks” are getting posts removed.
High-Profile Cases and Mosseri’s Response
Social media consultant Matt Navarra found his Threads account downranked after sharing a story about a hoax involving Tom Brady and Meta AI. After publicly complaining, Mosseri responded, saying he’s “looking into it.” However, Meta has yet to release an official comment on the matter.
My Experience with Instagram’s Moderation System
On Tuesday, I discovered that Meta had disabled my Instagram account, claiming I was under 13 years old, which is not true. I was given 30 days to appeal by submitting a copy of my state ID. Trusting Meta’s assurance that the ID would be securely stored and deleted within 30 days, I complied. Despite this, Meta upheld its decision, stating that my account did not meet their rules. All my posts and connections since college were wiped out.
Meta did offer me the chance to download my data, but the link they provided didn’t work.
Meta’s Approach to Age Restrictions
Meta has faced public pressure over the presence of young people on its platforms. In response, it introduced restrictions, including a requirement for users to provide their birthdate in 2021. These actions followed regulatory pressure aimed at protecting younger users.
Despite submitting valid ID, I’m still puzzled as to why my appeal was denied. It remains unclear if these age-related issues are connected to other strict moderation decisions, such as the recent “crackergate” incidents.
Impact on User Experience
Meta’s moderation policies have made its platforms less user-friendly for some. Gaming deal poster Wario64, for example, has experienced repeated spam flags on Threads, especially during live gaming events. After running into issues again during Prime Day, Wario64 announced he’s temporarily stepping away from posting deals on Threads, saying future live coverage is likely off the table.
