A class action lawsuit may be brewing up against Meta over mass Facebook & Instagram account bans

For the past few weeks, I’ve been digging into the mess of Meta’s mass account bans on Facebook and Instagram. It’s a saga that just won’t quit. I’ve written before about how these bans have trashed personal memories and tanked small businesses, with some losing several thousand dollars due to the lockout. Then there’s the growing pushback I covered here, where users rallied with a Change.org petition that’s now past 4,150 signatures. But things are heating up even more. It seems that a class action lawsuit against Meta might be in the works.

Leading the charge is Wesley Cornwell, an attorney with Amicus Law PC in Minnesota. He’s stepping up to bat for users who’ve been slammed by these bans, especially small business owners and freelancers who’ve seen their livelihoods take a hit. Cornwell’s gathering info from affected folks through an online form, and he’s not mincing words about why this matters. In a video shared on a forum, he said:

By exploring a class action lawsuit, you are taking a stand against social media and trying to help hold them accountable for the actions they have done which have hindered many small businesses and, in many cases, levied accusations against small business owners and independent contractors that have cost you everything you have spent decades building.

So, what’s a class action lawsuit anyway? It’s when a bunch of people with the same gripe team up to sue someone — in this case, Meta. Here, it’s all about users who say they’ve been wrongfully banned, often thanks to Meta’s AI moderation going haywire. People have been flagged for stuff like family pics or artwork, and slapped with labels like “child sexual exploitation” when they’ve done nothing wrong. It’s a mess.

And it’s not just old accounts getting hit. One user tried signing up for a new Facebook account to promote a restaurant they’re opening. Thirty seconds in — no posts, no nothing — they were banned. They appealed with proof they’re human, and still got shut down. “How can one of the largest and most profitable companies on earth be run like this?!” they asked in frustration.

Of course, not everyone has been waiting for a big lawsuit in which they can chime in. Some affected users have already scored wins by filing complaints with state Attorneys General, sending demand letters, or taking Meta to small claims court. But going it alone against a giant like Meta is tough. Their legal team’s a fortress, and those terms of service we all click “agree” to? They’re stacked in Meta’s favor.

That’s why this class action idea has legs. Pooling resources could give users a real shot. The Change.org petition’s already laid out what people want: better AI moderation, a clear appeal process, actual human support, and a stop to pushing stuff like Meta Verified that doesn’t seem to help. With a few thousand signatures, it’s clear the anger’s widespread.

But let’s not get things twisted here, because suing Meta won’t be a cakewalk. They’ve got deep pockets and a knack for dodging accountability. Still, the buzz on Reddit shows users aren’t backing down. Some are even drafting letters claiming slander and financial damages. Momentum’s building, and Cornwell’s form is a rallying point for anyone who’s fed up.

Meta’s said they’re “investigating” the issue, but that’s cold comfort when your account’s gone and your business is bleeding. If you’re one of the unlucky ones, you’ve got options. Sign the petition, join Cornwell’s lawsuit through his form, or just spread the word. This isn’t over — our team will keep tracking it as more unfolds. So stay tuned to all our coverage on Meta.