Meta’s Instagram recently suspended the OpIndia account, citing vague policy violations related to restricted items. This sparked widespread criticism and accusations of arbitrary censorship. The account was reinstated following the backlash, but the incident has raised concerns about the platform’s commitment to free speech and fair treatment.
Reason for Suspension
The pop-up message stated that OpIndia’s handle may have violated policies related to the ‘buying, selling, or exchange of items restricted by governments’. The platform listed examples such as firearms, animal parts, tobacco, alcohol, or drugs as prohibited items.This suspension came as a surprise, especially since OpIndia is a news platform not involved in any such activities. Instagram’s reasoning was widely criticized as nonsensical, with many suggesting that the decision reflected a broader pattern of arbitrary censorship by Big Tech companies.
Instagram has suspended the OpIndia account. The reason provided is simply asinine. It appears that Big Tech is no longer even bothered about providing a reasonable explanation – they will make shit up and suspend voices they don’t like. And the Left wanted us to believe that… pic.twitter.com/VvDPvNedJF
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) August 22, 2024
The suspension was met with widespread criticism, with many pointing out that the reasoning provided by Instagram was not only vague but also illogical. Some critics suggested that this incident was indicative of a broader issue where social media companies use their power to silence voices they disagree with, without offering a legitimate or coherent explanation.
Anti-national, pro-Congress, leftist handles celebrated the suspension.
Yeh kya hua?
Kaise hua?
Kab hua?
Kyun hua?Thank you, @instagram , for taking out the trash and cleaning up! pic.twitter.com/BWM3roTojN
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) August 23, 2024
Dear @elonmusk
Learn something from @instagram . They are suspending hateful handles while your team doesn’t.
Hateful bigots like @randomsena , @MrSinha_ , @ajeetbharti and @SonOfBharat7 are thriving on @X even after thousands of reports against them.
Have some shame for not… https://t.co/XDUmARyxU1 pic.twitter.com/broJjavnsz
— Team Saath Official🤝 (@TeamSaath) August 22, 2024
OpIndia’s Instagram account has been suspended by Meta for spreading hate.
So sad @UnSubtleDesi 🤡 pic.twitter.com/KQbAKHGxkx
— صالحة Swaleha (@Swaleha_2) August 22, 2024
OpIndia Account Re-Instated
However, after backlash and scrutiny, Instagram reinstated the OpIndia account, acknowledging that the suspension could have been a mistake.
Nothing can be better than this !!! 😍 Thank you @instagram for this clean up !!!@OpIndia_com 😞 pic.twitter.com/IH9n6StE9u
— Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay (@SanghamitraLIVE) August 22, 2024
The reinstatement was celebrated by OpIndia, with its Chief Editor, Nupur Sharma, sarcastically noting that Meta had finally realized they ‘weren’t involved in selling guns or animals’ on Instagram, calling the initial suspension decision as one made by “a bunch of noobs.”
We are back. Meta has managed to figure out the obvious – that we aren’t selling guns or dogs on Instagram. Bunch of noobs https://t.co/yb6EvKhmpg pic.twitter.com/ZWm821Bq2a
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) August 22, 2024
Critics argue that such actions undermine trust in these platforms and question their commitment to free speech and fair treatment of all users.
Notably, platforms controlled by Meta—Facebook and Instagram—shadow ban pro-Hindu handles.
The Commune has faced this on Facebook. Our posts on Rahul Gandhi and Hindenburg were repeatedly taken down even though we challenged the decision. No plausible explanation has been given to date.
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