You Got the Power
File a complaint about questionable or deceptive user restrictions on social media platforms: Meta and TikTok
Please follow these point-by-point instructions to make sure that you file your user complaint about Meta and/or TikTok, to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which regulates these companies.
These instructions apply to you if, as an Instagram/TikTok user:
You have been receiving prompts, pop-ups, notifications that restrict the use of any feature, which inevitably limits your ability to use the app to create or share content.
For instance, this can include the inability to:
post
tag
comment
share posts
add mentions to stories
AND
Your Account Status shows your account is in good standing at the moment you find the restriction.
(See Step One below on how to check if your Account status is in good standing.)
If you meet both criteria mentioned above for either of these platforms, follow these steps to gather your evidence and submit the complaint:
Step 1
Make sure that you meet the criteria above. If you need help on how to check your account’s status while facing these social media blocks or restrictions, do the following:
How to check Account Status on Instagram:
Go to Settings -> scroll down to and select Account Status where it will show if there are any restrictions.
How to check Account Status on TikTok:
Go to Settings and Privacy -> scroll down to select Support -> select Safety Center -> select Account Status.
Step 2
Go to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov and click on ‘Report Now’ to begin filling out the information.
Select ‘Something Else’ when asked to choose your problem (this is the first question).
In the description box provided, copy and paste the language that applies to you from one of the templates below. Replacing the [add restriction(s) here] with the specific restriction(s) you have experienced:
For example: The feature(s) I was restricted from include: sharing posts in my stories.
For the questions about money or ads, please select "NO" and leave the rest blank.
Complete as many of the remaining fields about you as you choose. You do not have to add your personal address or contact information unless you are prevented from submitting without it.
Copy and paste the one of the following that applies to your complaint:
The following is the language you can use for a Meta - Instagram Complaint
I am a frustrated Instagram user reaching out to inform you about questionable behavior that I have been experiencing on my account. The app has been blocking and restricting my use of features within the app without any proper feedback as to why this is happening. The feature(s) I was restricted from include: [add restriction(s) here].
I am concerned that the issues I am experiencing with my account are deceptive and unfair by Meta because my account status is showing that I am in good standing and, therefore, abiding by the terms of service and community guidelines of the platform. Meanwhile, the restrictions impair my use of the app as if I have in fact violated those terms as a user.
I am worried that the company may be trying to censor or scare users that are already staying within community guidelines since they would have to provide justification and evidence of violations if they were to enforce a full ban or suspension. Instead, the restrictions function in a similar manner while allowing Instagram to be non-transparent about its practices.
As user and consumer of the platform, I am asking you to hold Instagram accountable to me as a user by investigating this problem and ending these unethical practices so that I can feel safe using the app again.
The following is the language you can use for a TikTok Complaint
I am a frustrated TikTok user reaching out to inform you about questionable behavior that I have been experiencing on my account. The app has been blocking and restricting my use of features within the app without any proper feedback as to why this is happening. The feature(s) I was restricted from include: [add restriction(s) here].
I am concerned that the issues I am experiencing with my account are deceptive and unfair by TikTok because my account status is showing that I am in good standing and, therefore, abiding by the terms of service and community guidelines of the platform. Meanwhile, the restrictions impair my use of the app as if I have in fact violated those terms as a user.
I am worried that the company may be trying to censor or scare users that are already staying within community guidelines since they would have to provide justification and evidence of violations if they were to enforce a full ban or suspension. Instead, the restrictions function in a similar manner while allowing Instagram to be non-transparent about its practices.
As user and consumer of the platform, I am asking you to hold TikTok accountable to me as a user by investigating this problem and ending these unethical practices so that I can feel safe using the app again.