Facebook users are complaining about their groups being deleted without warning. Hundreds of users on platforms like Reddit and X are reporting that completely harmless communities like bird watching, Pokémon, and interior design have been shut down. Some groups have millions of members but have been taken down without any indication of content violations.
Facebook groups are starting to be deleted
The reasons given for the closure of groups vary widely. Some have been deleted for “terrorism-related content,” while others have been deleted for “nudity and adult content.” However, groups that have been shut down for these reasons also include pet-specific meme pages or parenting communities. The content shared clearly does not match these accusations.
In a statement from Meta, it was stated that this situation occurred as a result of an error. Andy Stone, one of the company’s communications directors, said that they were aware of the problem and were working on a solution. However, the exact cause of the error has not yet been determined. Social media users claim that the problems are caused by the AI-based automatic moderation system.
The problem is not limited to Facebook. In recent weeks, complaints about “shadow banning” have also been on the agenda on Instagram. Instagram executive Adam Mosseri stated at the time that the company was committed to transparency policies. However, the latest incident shows that Meta is facing a serious test in terms of content moderation and user trust.
It is currently unclear whether the deleted groups will be brought back or when a solution will be provided. This uncertainty directly affects small business owners who earn income through groups in particular. Some users report that they have suffered financial losses because they cannot connect with their audience on the platform.
Users have taken action against the incidents. A class action lawsuit has already been initiated and petitions filed on Change.org have reached thousands of signatures. Questions directed to Meta remain unanswered for now.
