US government finally waking up to rampant issue of random account bans, shadowbans, & demonetization on tech platforms

The US government is stepping in to tackle a growing problem that has frustrated countless users of social media and tech platforms: random account bans, shadowbans, and demonetization. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), under Chairman Andrew Ferguson, has kicked off an investigation to dig into these practices, which many say have gotten out of hand.

For years, people have complained about losing access to their accounts, having their content hidden, or seeing their earnings vanish with little explanation. Now, the FTC is asking the public to share their experiences to help figure out what’s really going on.

This investigation isn’t just about pointing fingers. The FTC wants hard evidence. They’re calling on anyone who’s been hit by these issues — whether you’re a regular user, a content creator, or even someone who works at a tech company — to send in their stories.

You can include screenshots, documents, or anything else that backs up your case, and you don’t have to give your name if you’d rather stay anonymous. It’s a chance for people who’ve felt silenced or unfairly treated to finally be heard.

Back in the day, most people assumed shadowbans were just a simple conspiracy theory. However, the problem is real and happens on a wider scale than many could imagine. In 2022, The New York Post highlighted how Twitter was suppressing commentary from right-wing users on the platform. 

Similarly, social media platforms have been suppressing pro-Palestinian voices in the form of shadowbans and even account bans. Recently, a former TikTok mod took to Reddit to share how the platform goes about implementing shadowbans and censorship.

The FTC is particularly focused on whether these practices could violate competition laws, given how dependent many modern businesses and creators have become on major platforms. The agency plans to examine if inconsistent or arbitrary enforcement of content rules may be used to unfairly disadvantage certain users and companies.

Politics looms in the background. President Trump, who has long accused tech companies of bias against conservatives, signed an order this week requiring agencies like the FTC to answer more directly to the White House. Experts question whether the order is constitutional, but its timing suggests a push to align regulatory priorities with administration goals.

This move could lead to big changes. By collecting these accounts and digging into how tech companies operate, they hope to make things more transparent and fair. It’s not just about fixing a few cases — it’s about setting new rules so platforms can’t keep doing this without consequences.

The FTC expects to release initial findings from the investigation later this year. So if you think you were a victim of an unfair shadowban or were censored for sharing a valid opinion, head to the FTC’s grievance site and share your story.

Featured image AI-generated with Microsoft Designer