The account's disappearance has sparked widespread frustration among fans and raised serious concerns about Meta’s sweeping control over online expression, especially in light of current events. The move follows a pattern of opaque and seemingly arbitrary content moderation decisions by Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Threads.
For years, DaygoTV has served as a vital hub for San Diego's urban culture, giving a voice to artists, promoting local events, and highlighting issues affecting the city’s underrepresented communities. Its sudden removal amounts to a digital blackout for a brand that built its following organically and relied heavily on Instagram as a platform for visibility and income.
Meta's moderation tactics have come under mounting global scrutiny. Earlier this year, Meta’s own Oversight Board - an independent body established to provide accountability - condemned the company for implementing sweeping content moderation changes "hastily" and with no indication that it considered the human rights impact.The board also rebuked Meta for failing to take down violent, anti-Muslim, and anti-migrant posts during riots in the United Kingdom last summer. The posts, which reportedly incited attacks on mosques and refugees, remained online long after they were flagged.
Despite these warnings, Meta continues to exert sweeping, unaccountable control over what content is allowed and whose voices are silenced - often with devastating personal and financial consequences. Its failure to explain decisions or offer fair appeals processes is not just a customer service failure - it is a structural threat to digital free expression and democratic participation.
Meta has also faced widespread criticism for the systematic suppression of pro-Palestinian content across its platforms. In December 2023, activist Shaun King was banned from Instagram and claimed the removal was a direct result of his outspoken support for Palestine. Numerous other prominent accounts tied to Palestinian advocacy and journalism have also been suspended, including those belonging to reporters Leila Warah, Adnan Barq, and several independent media outlets. Critics argue these actions reflect a troubling pattern of censorship targeting voices critical of political entities the company supports.
Adding to the frustration is the utter lack of transparency and access to support. Users are routinely funneled into automated forms when they attempt to appeal or inquire about account decisions, only to be met with silence. There’s no hotline, no live support, no real-time explanation. And in many cases, users aren’t even given the opportunity to appeal before their accounts are wiped from public view.
The absence of due process raises larger questions about the unchecked power held by Meta over digital speech, identity, and commerce. As more people and businesses build their brands on platforms like Instagram, the consequences of sudden deactivation can be financially and psychologically devastating. For small creators, independent journalists, and cultural curators like DaygoTV, losing access to a large audience is akin to having a storefront padlocked overnight - with no explanation, no warning, and no one to call.
In a society increasingly dependent on digital communication and commerce, the unilateral ability of a private tech company to silence individuals and erase years of work without due process should be viewed with alarm. There is no regulatory framework to hold Meta accountable for these decisions, no meaningful oversight body to review them, and no real legal avenue for redress short of expensive and uncertain litigation.
The deactivation of DaygoTV is more than a glitch in the system. It is part of a broader pattern of negligence and indifference by one of the world’s most powerful tech companies, operating with virtual immunity from regulation. Whether it’s flagging innocent memes, burying accounts in shadow bans, or deplatforming community outlets without warning, Meta has made it clear that its policies are enforced by algorithms and silence, not transparency or justice.
As of now, DaygoTV has not been restored and Meta has offered no justification for the deactivation. Like many before them, the account’s creators have been left to start over or fight an uphill battle through faceless forms and unanswered emails. The silence from Meta is deafening. But for San Diego’s creative community, the disappearance of DaygoTV is a stark reminder: in the hands of powerful tech giants, no digital presence is ever truly secure.
The deactivation of DaygoTV is more than a glitch in the system. It is part of a broader pattern of negligence and indifference by one of the world’s most powerful tech companies, operating with virtual immunity from regulation. Whether it’s flagging innocent memes, burying accounts in shadow bans, or deplatforming community outlets without warning, Meta has made it clear that its policies are enforced by algorithms and silence, not transparency or justice.
As of now, DaygoTV has not been restored and Meta has offered no justification for the deactivation. Like many before them, the account’s creators have been left to start over or fight an uphill battle through faceless forms and unanswered emails. The silence from Meta is deafening. But for San Diego’s creative community, the disappearance of DaygoTV is a stark reminder: in the hands of powerful tech giants, no digital presence is ever truly secure.
Originally published on June 11, 2025.
