Meta says suspending No Kings account on day of action was done 'in error'

Demonstrators hold signs during a "No Kings" protest at the South Carolina Statehouse. Sean Rayford/Getty Images Meta said Saturday that an automatic trigger is to blame for the No Kings movement's Instagram account being suspended in the midst of a nationwide effort to mobilize early voting in the midterms.The network, which bills itself as nonpartisan but arose last year in response to President Donald Trump's actions, said its account went dark for "several hours" at the peak of its event."Even after visibility was restored, we had no access to the account for hours," the group posted on its account.In a statement on X, Meta spokesman Andy Stone said that accounts posting, sharing, or commenting at "very high frequencies" can prompt an automated response."That's what happened with the No Kings IG account in the lead up to today's day of action. Unfortunately, that automated action was clearly taken in error," he said in an X post."Everything is now working as it should and we sincerely apologize."No Kings said it wants a deeper explanation from Meta. "Restricting communications about voting in the middle of an election is unacceptable," it said in its post."Meta must answer for this suspension and take immediate steps to ensure it never happens again — to any account, but especially those working to inform voters and encourage participation in our democracy."The group said it held nearly 3,000 rallies across the country to encourage voters to cast their ballots early as a hedge against any effort to undermine turnout in an election that will determine the balance of power in Congress. Read next Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Tracy Connor is the Standards Editor at Business Insider. In her role she works with journalists on questions during the reporting process, reviews sensitive pieces, oversees editorial policies, and helps train people on standards.She is the former editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast, where she began as the executive editor, overseeing an award-winning newsroom of about 70 staffers. Previously, she was a senior reporter for the NBC News Investigations Unit, working on projects for digital and broadcast. Prior to that, she spent 10 years at the New York Daily News as an editor and reporter; she has also worked for the New York Post, United Press International, and a chain of weekly newspapers in Brooklyn.A graduate of Columbia University and the Coney Island Sideshow School, she lives in Brooklyn with her franken-dog Pearl. Don't say anything bad about Dolly Parton or em-dashes in front of her! Politics Meta Voting More Instagram Donald Trump