As a small business owner, I rely on Meta’s digital platforms (Facebook and Instagram) to reach customers and grow my business. Like many others, I have used these platforms in good faith, complied with published policies, enabled recommended security features, and followed Meta’s suggested processes. Despite this, I have repeatedly faced restrictions imposed by automated systems that prevent me from advertising and managing my business accounts effectively. These restrictions are often applied without clear explanation, formal notification, or a practical way to resolve the issue.

This problem extends far beyond my own experience. Millions of small businesses depend on Facebook and Instagram as primary marketing channels, particularly local and community-based enterprises. When access to essential business tools is limited or removed without transparency, it directly affects revenue, visibility, and long-term viability. Unlike large advertisers, small businesses have little resilience against sudden, unexplained restrictions and no dedicated support channels to help them recover.

A central issue is the lack of transparency and human oversight. Many business accounts are not fully banned but instead encounter invisible operational barriers such as blocked advertising, restricted permissions, or disabled management features—without clear communication. These partial restrictions leave business owners uncertain about what went wrong, how to fix it, or whether resolution is even possible. The absence of accessible human support further compounds the problem, leaving small businesses without a voice in decisions that significantly affect their livelihoods.

This petition calls on Meta to introduce fair, transparent, and proportionate processes for small businesses using its platforms. We are not asking for special treatment or the removal of safeguards, but for basic procedural fairness. Specifically, we ask Meta to:

Introduce a Clear Appeals Process
Provide a transparent, accessible system that explains why business-related restrictions are applied and allows small businesses to request timely review.
Provide Human Support for Small Businesses

Offer access to trained human representatives for business account issues, not solely automated responses.
Improve Notification and Guidance
Ensure businesses are clearly informed when restrictions are applied, why they occurred, and what steps (if any) can be taken to resolve them.

Increase Transparency Around Automated Decisions
Publish regular transparency reports outlining how often business restrictions occur and how automated systems impact small businesses.

By signing this petition, you are supporting a call for accountability, transparency, and fairness. Small businesses are essential contributors to local economies and to Meta’s own platforms. They deserve clear communication, meaningful support, and a reasonable path to resolution when automated systems fail.