In a surprising move, Instagram and Facebook recently blocked or blurred posts from abortion pill providers and even suspended some accounts. The action, which escalated over the past two weeks, left many questioning the platforms’ moderation practices.

According to reports, content from abortion pill providers vanished from Instagram feeds, and their accounts were hidden from search results and recommendations. Meta, the parent company of both platforms, later restored some of these accounts after being questioned about the issue.

This comes on the heels of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing plans to loosen restrictions on online speech earlier this month. While the company insists the abortion-related content moderation wasn’t tied to these policy changes, the timing has raised eyebrows. Critics worry the move could signal inconsistent enforcement of rules or even a rollback of protections for sensitive topics.

Meta explained that the moderation efforts were linked to platform rules prohibiting the sale of pharmaceuticals without proper certification. However, they acknowledged that some cases might have been over-enforced.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges social media platforms face when balancing free speech with content regulation, especially on hot-button issues like reproductive rights.