In the world of social media, blocking an account can be the digital equivalent of being excluded from society. But what if the blockage occurs without warning and for no apparent reason? A current decision by the Federal Court of Justice could provide a remedy here.

Unfounded suspension: A stop sign from the Federal Court of Justice

In a groundbreaking ruling, the Federal Court of Justice decided that accounts in social networks may not be blocked without giving reasons and hearing from those affected. The decision could have far-reaching implications for the practices of major social media platforms and give users more rights.

Social network operators are not allowed to block their members' accounts without reason. You must give those affected the opportunity to comment and object to the blocking. The Federal Court of Justice decided this in its judgment of July 29, 2021 ( ref. III ZR 179-20 ). This will generally also apply as EU law February 17, 2024

How can I lodge an objection?

Users whose accounts have been suspended must be given the opportunity to comment on or object to the suspension. You also have the right to request a reason for the blocking.

To support users, both Instagram and Facebook offer special online forms. These enable those affected to object to the account being blocked. The links to the forms can be found here:

Conclusion: The Federal Court of Justice's decision is an important step towards more user rights in the digital world. Looking forward, it is important that users know they have rights and how to enforce them. So if your account is unexpectedly blocked, remember: you have the right to defend yourself against this ban.

Also read: Internet without hate: Is turning off comments the way to a friendlier online world?


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1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )