Brazil
Brazilian users reported unexplained Instagram bans from mid-2025, and in 2026 federal prosecutors and the data protection authority (ANPD) asked Meta to explain its suspensions; the ANPD also asked how automated decisions are reviewed after an appeal. Small-claims courts (Juizados Especiais) have ordered accounts to be reactivated and awarded damages in some reported cases, applying the Consumer Defence Code.
As of 2026-10-26
Regulators and public bodies
agenciagov.ebc.com.br
Brazil’s data protection authority (ANPD) opened an administrative proceeding on 16 October 2026 and on 19 October asked Meta to explain, within five business days, its criteria for reports, removals and suspensions, how it notifies users, how it prevents abusive reporting, and how decisions based on automated processing of personal data are reviewed after an appeal. It acted under the LGPD, the Marco Civil da Internet and Decree 12.975/26, following input from federal prosecutors, digital-rights groups and a citizens’ petition.
cnnbrasil.com.br
Federal prosecutors (MPF) opened a civil inquiry and asked for information after more than 100 LGBTQIA+ Instagram accounts, with over 1.7 million followers combined, were suspended between May and early June 2026. The inquiry followed a complaint by Sleeping Giants Brasil; Meta declined to comment.
Courts, lawsuits and petitions
rotajuridica.com.br
The 2nd Civil and Criminal Special Court of Itumbiara, Goiás (case 5526222-87.2025.8.09.0088), ordered Meta to reactivate a second-hand clothing shop’s Instagram account suspended on 17 January 2025 and awarded each of the two plaintiffs R$5,000 in moral damages. It relied on the Consumer Defence Code and enterprise-risk theory, finding that Meta had not proved a breach of its rules.
arq.migalhas.com.br
A Maranhão court on appeal held that deactivating an account without prior notice was abusive and upheld the order to reactivate it and the award of moral damages.
Scam warnings
opovo.com.br
Scammers send fake Meta support messages saying the account has been suspended, ask users to confirm ownership and lead them to a fake link.
tecmundo.com.br
A variant in which fake Meta support messages lead users to a cloned Meta site that steals their two-factor authentication codes.
Reporting
tecnoblog.net
For weeks, Brazilian users reported bans without explanation, with generic ‘Community Guidelines’ notices or child sexual exploitation allegations. At the time Meta had not officially acknowledged a problem and no class action had been filed.
Please note
This page collects public material as general information. It is not legal advice. Bodies and procedures change, so check the original link before you apply.
For step-by-step official procedures, see the recovery guide.