Instagram Account Restricted Without Explanation: GFF and Rapper Maurice Conrad Sue Meta
Berlin/Mainz, November 2, 2026. The Society for Civil Liberties (GFF), together with rapper Maurice Conrad, has filed an appeal with the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz in a case against the platform Meta. Conrad had sued Meta over a so-called “shadowban”: Instagram had arbitrarily excluded Conrad’s account from advertising without notice. However, the Mainz Regional Court ruled that Conrad must file the lawsuit in Ireland, where the platform is headquartered.
The GFF has two objectives with this lawsuit: The court is to rule that Meta’s arbitrary account restriction was unlawful and violated freedom of expression, artistic freedom, and freedom of occupation. Furthermore, it aims to clarify that users in Germany can also sue the platforms.
“Meta cannot limit or suspend accounts at will,” says GFF attorney Simone Ruf. “Those who are already particularly often affected by arbitrary moderation decisions should at least be able to defend themselves against them. Users must be able to assert their rights in the place where they live.”
Arbitrary and unfounded account limitations and suspensions affect many users, but they disproportionately affect members of marginalized groups, such as queer people and people of color. For them in particular, however, social media represents an indispensable channel for bringing their concerns to the public’s attention. Through these arbitrary measures, the platforms violate users’ right to freely express their opinions.
The size and significance of social networks come with a corresponding responsibility: The Federal Court of Justice ruled as early as 2021 that platforms may not arbitrarily restrict access to these communication spaces for that reason. The Digital Services Act also stipulates that platforms must, as a general rule, inform affected users about moderation decisions and provide sufficient justification for them.
In the case of influencers like Conrad, the platforms are also infringing on freedom of artistic expression and freedom of occupation. If suspensions and limitations remain unfounded, users have little recourse to defend themselves against them—especially since they cannot pursue legal action in Germany but only at the platform’s headquarters, which is usually in Ireland.
Conrad uses his Instagram account not only to share his own music but also to regularly discuss queerness, politics, and activism. Meta has already limited the account multiple times in various ways: for alleged nudity and when Conrad reported receiving a hate message. In each instance, Instagram deleted the posts and limited the account’s reach or messaging functionality. In December 2025, Meta finally imposed an advertising limitation on the account without notice or justification, which jeopardized the release of Conrad’s new album.
In early October, the GFF and Conrad filed an appeal against the Regional Court’s decision with the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz. In early November, they submitted their statement of appeal. Attorney Dr. Sascha Wolf (PRIGGE Recht) is representing Conrad in court.
“Instagram’s limitations bear a clear anti-queer stamp: Because my appearance and body didn’t fit the statistical pattern of binary gender categories, I was limited for a photo that Instagram approves millions of times every day without hesitation in other contexts,” says Maurice Conrad. “This behavior is systematic and clearly shows that queer content that deviates from the norm faces unnecessary obstacles to visibility.”
In a similar case in April 2025, the GFF already achieved a victory against arbitrary moderation decisions on Meta platforms: The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court ruled at the time that the company acted unlawfully when it permanently blocked the Facebook page of the Filmwerkstatt Düsseldorf, also without providing a reason.
The current lawsuit is part of the Center for User Rights. Through the Center, the GFF strengthens users’ rights and enforces them in court on a long-term basis. This is intended to counteract the imbalance of power between online platforms and their users.
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If you have any questions, please contact:
Dr. Maria ScharlauEmail: presse@freiheitsrechte.orgPhone: 030/549 08 10 55