In April 2026, Meta removed dozens of Instagram accounts belonging to queer organisations, venues, artists, and community spaces across the Netherlands — often overnight, without warning, and sometimes flagged as "potential human trafficking" with no explanation at all. For many of those affected, this was not a one-off: unjustified restrictions have recurred for years, and Instagram is essential infrastructure for community life — where people find healthcare and sexual health information, discover events, and take part in public debate. Although Meta eventually reinstated many accounts, it has still not explained why they were removed or what will stop it happening again. On behalf of twelve organisations and their communities, law firm bureau Brandeis is now pursuing legal action against Meta. COC Nederland and Bits of Freedom act as representative organisations for the wider queer community affected. Taking a case like this to court is costly and sustained — and that is why we are raising the Pushback Fund: your support helps cover the legal work needed to hold Meta accountable and defend queer communities' place on the platforms they depend on.

Why this matters beyond the Netherlands

This case challenges discriminatory content moderation, opaque enforcement systems, and the exclusion of queer communities from digital — and ultimately civic — spaces. Meta, as a Very Large Online Platform under the EU Digital Services Act, has binding obligations around transparency, non-discrimination, human review, and freedom of expression. The mass removal of queer accounts violates those obligations — as well as fundamental rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and Dutch anti-discrimination law.

A successful legal challenge here can help set a precedent for platform accountability and digital rights across Europe and globally. Your support helps make that possible.