Alameda Co. candidate suspended from Meta accounts before June primary: 'I feel silenced'

A candidate for the Alameda County Board of Education said Meta disabled his campaign Facebook page about a month before the June 2 primary. He reported that his social media ads had helped him connect with voters until his Meta accounts went dark on May 2. He said he received two emails, one stating his account was suspended with 30 days to take action or appeal, and a second stating there was no appeal process and that he was disabled. He said Meta gave no clear explanation or way to appeal and that he lost access to his Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger accounts. He described the situation as silencing and campaign interference.

"Meta disabled his campaign Facebook page a month before the June 2 primary. He says social media ads helped him connect with voters... until all his Meta accounts went dark on May 2, a month before the election. He said he had no idea why or how to get it back and called for help as the election was less than two weeks away."

"“I couldn't get into Facebook, so I turned on my laptop and saw that I had two emails from Meta, Facebook. The first one said that my account was suspended and that I could appeal,” Harvey said. “The first email states: ‘Mark, you have 30 days to take action’ or appeal.”"

"“But he says two minutes later... ‘The next email came saying there is no appeal process. You're disabled,’ Harvey said.” He said Meta provided no clear explanation or way to appeal. He reported losing his personal Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger accounts as well."

"“I feel like they've silenced me,” Harvey said. “I just see it as campaign interference. I mean, I've called it what it is.” He also said having his voice taken away violated freedom of speech and the electoral process, calling it dangerous."

Read at ABC7 San Francisco