5 days ago
Appeals body to review social media account suspensions
The Appeals Centre Europe, a Dublin-based social media appeals body, will from today hear cases relating to the suspension of accounts by Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
If a user feels their account has been unfairly suspended by a social media platform, they can now challenge the decision by lodging a complaint with the Appeals Centre Europe.
The centre's decisions are not binding, but platforms are obliged under EU law to engage in good faith.
The Appeals Centre Europe opened in November 2024 and began issuing decisions in late January.
It hears disputes from people and organisations in Ireland and across the EU about decisions by social media platforms relating to issues such as the removal of content.
"Losing your social media account is more than an inconvenience, it affects people's lives in fundamental ways," said Appeals Centre Europe Chief Executive Thomas Hughes.
"Before now you could either appeal the decision to the platform – which often sticks with its original decision – or go to court at great expense," he said.
"Today, however, there's a new option which is independent of platforms and free-of-charge - Appeals Centre Europe," Mr Hughes said.
The Appeals Centre has been certified by the media regulator Coimisiún na Meán as an out-of-court dispute settlement body under the EU's set of online safety rules, the Digital Services Act.
The start-up funding for the Appeals Centre was provided through a one-time grant from the Meta Oversight Board Trust, but the centre has insisted that it will be independent of Meta.
Going forward, the centre will be funded through fees charged to social media companies for each case.
Right now, users are not being charged for taking a case but in the future, people who raise a dispute will be asked to pay what is described as a 'nominal fee' of €5, which will be refunded if the centre finds it in their favour.
This summer, the centre said it will publish its first transparency report containing insights into the cases it has received and the decisions it has made.
It is also planning to expand to other social media platforms later this year.
