Meta blocks Instagrams of Berlin sex-positive clubs

The US-based tech giant blocked the Instagram accounts of multiple Berlin nightclubs, including sex-positive clubs KitKat and Insomnia.

“Blatant US censorship”

According to a report from rbb, Meta blocked the Instagram accounts of multiple clubs in Berlin, including KitKat and Insomnia. Both sex-positive clubs use their blue-tick-verified accounts on the platform to communicate information about upcoming events, sell tickets and correspond with visitors. 

While KitKat’s account, which has 220.000 followers, was reinstated, Insomnia’s account, which had 25.000 followers, seems to have been deleted indefinitely. The latter club opened a new account that gathered 12.000 followers but was later deleted as well.

“It is blatant US censorship,” Insomnia representative Dominique told rbb. “We have a strict photo policy [...] which means everything is covered. No breasts or genitalia are on show. It is just people in scant outfits, who are having fun, dancing and smiling for the camera.”

KitKit representatives are also confused as to why the club’s account was shut down. “At this time [...] we do not know why these measures have been taken, because we made a concerted effort to abide by Meta’s standards,” they told the local public broadcaster.

KitKat announces move to WERZ

Copyright and media lawyer Jan Mönikes said the accounts were likely taken down on a whim. Mönikes explained to rbb that Meta’s “policies” are, legally speaking, terms and conditions that every Meta user must agree to in order to use the platforms.

While these terms and conditions are generally compatible with European law, they are not always entirely one-to-one compatible with German law. This means that platforms may take the liberty of blocking content which is allowed under German law.

KitKat was quick to request its account be reinstated, and eight days after the initial block, it was. But the club rejoined the platform only to formally announce its departure and move to WERZ, a “community platform for Berlin’s nightlife and cultural scene” which organisers said offered a “promising alternative to Beg Tech”.