Meta’s Copyright System Is Being Weaponized Against Albanian Protesters
Coordinated paid copyright complaints suspended about 100 Meta accounts of Albanian protesters, prompting over 30 MEPs to demand an EU investigation.
NGO Repro Uncensored verified roughly 100 Meta account restrictions tied to Albania's Flamingo Revolution protests, most triggered by coordinated copyright complaints beginning in late August. One complainant admitted being paid $1,800 in crypto to file reports. More than 30 MEPs asked the European Commission to investigate whether Meta's actions complied with the EU Digital Services Act.
- Repro Uncensored verified about 100 cases; the true number is estimated in the several hundreds.
- Accounts received 5-10 copyright complaints each, triggering escalating enforcement and full account disabling.
- One complainant admitted being paid $1,800 in crypto to file reports.
- Experts liken the tactic to brigading previously seen by the Myanmar military against critics.
- Vendors
- Meta
- Products
- Victims
- Albanian protesters
- Organizations
- Repro UncensoredFreedom HouseEuropean Commission
- Countries
- Albania
From the original article
5 min read at wired.com
After three months of daily anti-government protests—dubbed the Flamingo Revolution—the sudden mass suspension of Instagram accounts has led to fears of brigading against demonstrators.
By Ruchi Kumar · wired.com
A short excerpt; the article and its images belong to the publisher. Summary, key facts and assessment above are AI-written from the article and can be wrong.