A QUEENSLAND event producer says she has been locked out of her entire online business network after her accounts were allegedly misclassified for serious policy violations, just days before a scheduled live event.
Cindy Jensen said she was permanently banned from Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, on Good Friday, cutting off access to the audience she had built over 13 years.
“My entire business and communication system was removed overnight without notice and without the ability to speak to anyone or challenge the decision,” Ms Jensen said.
Ms Jensen claims her accounts were flagged for “child sexual exploitation” — an allegation she strongly denies — and says she has not been given an opportunity to respond.
“My accounts were falsely flagged for something extremely serious, and I have had no opportunity to provide evidence or context,” she said.
“It has been devastating, both professionally and personally.”
Over more than a decade, Ms Jensen built a digital presence that she says underpinned her events and media work, including Silent Riot Collective, which has more than 13,000 followers across platforms, an Instagram audience exceeding 5,500 followers, and a newer community media page, The Mooring, which attracted more than 650 members within four months.
She said those platforms were central to ticket sales, audience communication and event promotion.
“This isn’t just a social media inconvenience, this is my entire business infrastructure,” Ms Jensen said.
“Years of work building community trust, audience connection, and live event engagement has been erased from my reach overnight.”
Ms Jensen said attempts to restart her online presence had also failed with a new account disabled shortly after it was created.
“I now understand that Meta systems are linking accounts automatically, which meant I was blocked again instantly despite using different credentials,” she said.
“I am now completely unable to access the platforms my audience relies on to receive information about my events.”
The shutdown has come at a critical time, with an upcoming live event already in market.
“We are just days out from a live event that people have already purchased tickets for, and I no longer have a reliable way to communicate with my audience or continue promoting the remaining tickets,” Ms Jensen said.
“This has put enormous pressure on a small independent business that relies entirely on direct audience engagement.”
Ms Jensen said the situation raised broader concerns about how automated moderation systems affect small businesses and independent operators.
“There is a serious gap in accountability when automated systems can apply extremely serious allegations without transparency, evidence, or a functioning human appeal process,” she said.
“I understand the need for safety systems, but there must also be fairness, context, and access to real review when mistakes are made.”
She has since sought assistance from Henry Pike and lodged a complaint with the eSafety Commissioner but says she is still awaiting a response.
“With absolutely no communication path with META available, I have contacted Federal MP Henry Pike and lodged a complaint with the eSafety Commissioner,” she said.
“I have not yet received a response to my complaint or correspondence, and I am also working with an IT consultant to assist with the process.”
Ms Jensen is now calling for an urgent review of her case and reinstatement of her accounts.
“I am not asking for special treatment; I am asking for fairness, transparency, and the ability to operate my business without being falsely labelled and permanently locked out,” she said.
