Meta’s Instagram recently suspended OpIndia’s account on the platform, citing a violation of the company’s policies. The reasoning was vague, and the pop-up message stated that OpIndia’s account may have violated policies related to “buying, selling, or exchanging items banned by governments.” The platform cited examples such as firearms, animal parts, tobacco, alcohol, or drugs as prohibited items.
This blocking came as a surprise, especially since OpIndia is a news platform that is not involved in any such activities. The justification provided by Instagram was widely criticised as nonsensical, with many saying the decision reflected a broader pattern of arbitrary censorship by Big Tech companies.
Instagram has banned the OpIndia account. The reason given is just plain idiotic. It seems Big Tech doesn’t even care to give a reasonable explanation anymore – they just make up crap and ban voices they don’t like. And the Left wanted us to believe that… pic.twitter.com/VvDPvNedJF
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) 22 August 2024
The ban was met with widespread criticism, with many pointing out that Instagram’s reasoning was not only vague but also illogical. Some critics said this incident was indicative of a broader problem in which social media companies use their power to silence voices they disagree with without providing a legitimate or coherent explanation.
Anti-national, pro-Congress and left-wing circles celebrated the suspension.
Yes, you know what?
What’s up?
What’s up?
Kyun Hua?Thank you very much, @Instagram for taking out the trash and cleaning up! pic.twitter.com/BWM3roTojN
— Kerala Congress (@INCKerala) 23 August 2024
Darling @elonmusk
Learn something from @Instagram . You ban hateful handles, your team does not.
Hateful fanatics like @randomsena , @MrSinha_ , @ajeetbharti And @SonOfBharat7 thrive on @X even after thousands of complaints were filed against them.
Shame on you for not… https://t.co/XDUmARyxU1 pic.twitter.com/broJjavnsz
– Team Saath Official🤝 (@TeamSaath) 22 August 2024
OpIndia’s Instagram account was banned by Meta for spreading hate.
So sad @UnSubtleDesi 🤡 pic.twitter.com/KQbAKHGxkx
— صالحة Swaleha (@Swaleha_2) 22 August 2024
However, after strong reactions and further investigation, Instagram later restored the OpIndia account and admitted that the ban may have been a mistake.
It couldn’t be better!!! 😍 Thank you @Instagram for this cleanup work!!!@OpIndia_com 😞 pic.twitter.com/IH9n6StE9u
— Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay (@SanghamitraLIVE) 22 August 2024
OpIndia celebrated the reinstatement with editor-in-chief Nupur Sharma sarcastically noting that Meta had finally understood that they were “not involved in selling weapons or animals” on Instagram, saying the original decision to ban them was made by “a bunch of noobs.”
We’re back. Meta figured out the obvious – we don’t sell guns or dogs on Instagram. A bunch of noobs https://t.co/yb6EvKhmpg pic.twitter.com/ZWm821Bq2a
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) 22 August 2024
Critics argue that such measures undermine trust in these platforms and question their commitment to free expression and fair treatment of all users.
It is noteworthy that platforms controlled by Meta – Facebook and Instagram – secretly block pro-Hindu pages. The Commune has experienced this on Facebook – our posts on Rahul Gandhi and Hindenburg were repeatedly deleted, although we have challenged the decision and to date no plausible explanation has been given for it.
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