Syd King

NAME: Syd King (he/they)
PLATFORM & USERNAME: Insta @mx.syd
CENSORSHIP: Content ban

What reason was given for your ban?

First, solicitation then changed to ‘promoted sexual assault.’

Why do you think your post(s) was censored?

Because I’m queer, disabled and AFAB and was in underwear, talking about recovering from sexual assault and my disabilities making me hate my body, and how I’m reclaiming it. This was also MONTHS after I posted it.

Were you able to appeal and what was the response?

Yes, instantly denied and the reason changed to promoting sexual assault. Having read the guidance this literally means my content either contained a video or images of me being assaulted which it didn’t or was showing or talking about me sexually assaulting someone which is so messed up as it was about me recovering from the assault.

I’ve applied to have it taken further, but haven’t heard anything in five months.

What effect has your experience of censorship had on you?

I feel crushed, it took me so much courage and mental effort to post what I did.

I’d never publicly talked about being a survivor before and the one time I did, it got taken down and basically accused me of promoting the thing that ruined my life.

What’s one thing you want people to know about this topic?

Instagram isn’t making mistakes, it’s actively seeking to censor marginalised communities and anyone & anything that they don’t deem perfect and positive enough for their platform.