Many Facebook and Instagram users who found their accounts banned without warning are now backing a possible class action lawsuit against Meta. The bans were part of Meta’s recent mass sweep, which left users devastated and small businesses struggling.
Attorney Wesley Cornwell from Minnesota has stepped forward to represent affected individuals, especially entrepreneurs and freelancers whose income was abruptly cut off. He’s gathering statements through an online form and has emphasized that a unified legal effort could help hold Meta accountable.
A class action lawsuit brings together individuals with the same grievances—here, wrongful bans often caused by flawed AI moderation systems. Some users were flagged for benign personal posts or artwork, even mistakenly labeled for serious violations like child exploitation. In one extreme case, a user attempting to set up a new business account was banned within 30 seconds, even after verifying they weren’t a bot.
Some users have already taken other legal routes, such as filing complaints with state attorneys general, sending formal demand letters, or going to small claims court. While these methods have worked for a few, going it alone can be daunting given Meta’s legal resources and the platform’s terms of service.
By forming a class action, users plan to pool their resources and improve their chances against Meta’s powerful defense. A Change.org petition—now with over 4,150 signatures—calls for better moderation, clearer appeals, and legitimate support channels, along with reforms to features like Meta Verified that haven’t helped banned users.
However, filing a class action is complex and expensive, and Meta’s deep pockets make it a formidable challenge. Still, affected users on Reddit are actively sharing experiences and drafting legal complaints that mention reputational damage and financial losses.
Meta has stated it is investigating the ban wave, but many users remain unable to regain access or recover lost content and revenues. Those affected are encouraged to sign the petition, submit information via Cornwell’s form, and join the potential lawsuit. Coverage will continue as developments unfold.