Instagram users have told the BBC of their confusion, fear and anger after having their accounts suspended, often for being wrongly accused by parent company Meta of breaching the platform’s child sex abuse rules.

For months, tens of thousands of people around the world have been complaining Meta has been banning their Instagram and Facebook accounts in error.

They say they have been wrongly accused of breaching site rules – including around child sexual exploitation.

More than 500 of them have contacted the BBC to say they have lost cherished photos and seen businesses upended – but some also speak of the profound personal toll it has taken on them, including concerns that the police could become involved.

Meta acknowledged a problem with the erroneous banning of Facebook Groups in June, but has denied there is wider issue on Facebook or Instagram at all.

It has repeatedly refused to comment on the problems its users are facing – though it has frequently overturned bans when the BBC has raised individual cases with it.

Here are some of the stories users have shared with BBC News.

Yassmine Boussihmed, 26, from the Netherlands, spent five years building an Instagram profile for her boutique dress shop in Eindhoven.

In April, she was banned over account integrity. Over 5,000 followers, gone in an instant. She lost clients, and was devastated.

“I put all of my trust in social media, and social media helped me grow, but it has let me down,” she told the BBC.

This week, after the BBC sent questions about her case to Meta’s press office, her Instagram accounts were reinstated.

“I am so thankful,” she said in a tearful voice note.

Five minutes later, her personal Instagram was suspended again – but the account for the dress shop remained.

Lucia, not her real name, is a 21-year-old woman from Austin, Texas.

She was suspended from Instagram for just over two weeks for breaching Meta’s policy on child sexual exploitation (CSE), abuse and nudity.

As with all the other cases, she was not told what post breached the platform’s rules.

That has left wondering if a picture she posted of herself and her 21-year-old friend wearing bikini tops somehow triggered the artificial intelligence (AI) moderation tools, as she thinks they “look a little bit younger”.

She also uses her account to interact with under 18s, such as sending Reels to her younger sister.

“It is deeply troubling to have an accusation as disgusting as this one,” she told BBC News.

“Given that I have a desire to work in juvenile justice as an attorney and advocate on behalf of children, I am appalled to have been suspended for something I know I did not do and would never do.”

She appealed, and then about seven hours after the BBC highlighted Lucia’s case to Meta’s press office, her account was restored with no explanation.

Over 36,000 people have signed a petition accusing Meta of falsely banning accounts; thousands more are in Reddit forums or on social media posting about it.

Their central accusation – Meta’s AI is unfairly banning people, with the tech also being used to deal with the appeals. The only way to speak to a human is to pay for Meta Verified, and even then many are frustrated.

Meta has not commented on these claims. Instagram states AI is central to its “content review process” and Meta has outlined how technology and humans enforce its policies.

Duncan Edmonstone, from Cheshire, has stage four ALK+ lung cancer. The 55-year-old finds solace in the support network he has on private Facebook groups.

For 12 days at the end of June, he was banned for breaking cybersecurity guidelines before being reinstated.

“The support groups are my lifeline, and there are actual examples of where advice from group members has made a difference to other patient’s treatment,” he said.

“I draw satisfaction and meaning, in a life that is probably going to be cut short, from helping other people in that group.”

Ryan – not his real name – has been banned, reinstated, and banned again from Instagram over the past few months.

The former teacher from London was thrown off the platform in May after he was accused of breaching the CSE policy.

He spent a month appealing. In June, the BBC understands a human moderator double checked and concluded Ryan had breached the policy.

Then his account was abruptly restored at the end of July.

“We’re sorry we’ve got this wrong,” Instagram said in an email to him, adding that he had done nothing wrong.

Ryan was left flabbergasted.

“‘Sorry we called you a paedophile for two months – here is your account back,'” is how he characterised the tone of the message.

But that wasn’t the end of the story.

Hours after the BBC contacted Meta’s press office to ask questions about his experience, he was banned again on Instagram and, for the first time, Facebook.

“I am devastated and I don’t know what to do,” he told the BBC.

“I can’t believe it has happened twice.”

His Facebook account was back two days later – but he was still blocked from Instagram.

Ryan says he has been left feeling deeply isolated – and worried the police are going to “knock on the door”.

His experiences mirrors those of other Instagram users who told the BBC of the “extreme stress” of having their accounts banned after being wrongly accused of breaching the platform’s rules on CSE.

Despite taking action on Yassmine, Lucia and Ryan’s accounts, Meta has not made any comment to the BBC.

In common with all big technology firms, it has come under pressure from authorities to make its platforms safer.

In July, Meta said it was taking “aggressive action” on accounts breaking its rules – including the removal of 635,000 Instagram and Facebook accounts over sexualised comments and imagery in relation to children.

Meta’s wide-ranging policy on child sexual exploitation has changed three times since Boxing Day last year, with all amendments occurring since 17 July.

It has not said what impact, if any, these changes had on the cases the BBC has raised with it.

The government is partnering with TikTok influencers to warn people about the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures.

There’s growing concern over the rise in Britons seeking overseas treatments such as hair implants and dental work, often lured by lower costs and shorter waiting times.

Medical content creators will urge viewers to talk to a UK doctor first, take out travel insurance and avoid package holidays that include procedures.

The move is part of a wider government campaign to curb so-called medical tourism, as well as tighten regulations for cosmetic practitioners in England.

When it comes to cosmetic surgery abroad, the lowest price can come at the highest cost, the campaign warns.

It aims to raise awareness of the risks, protect patients and avoid the NHS paying to fix botched procedures.

Medical influencers like Doc Tally and Midwife Marley – who have 240,000 and 38,000 followers on TikTok respectively – will produce videos offering guidance on how to make trips as safe as possible. They will include a checklist to consider before booking a procedure.

Medical influencers like Doc Tally and Midwife Marley – who have 240,000 and 38,000 followers on TikTok respectively – will produce videos giving advice on how to make trips as safe as possible.

They will also provide followers with a check list to go through before considering booking a procedure abroad.

Health minister Karin Smyth warned that “too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards.”

She said the partnership with TikTok would help people “make safer and more informed choices before they go under the knife – wherever that may be.”

Things to check before you book:

• Do thorough research about the procedure
• Check the clinic’s regulation and the surgeon’s credentials
• Know the full cost and understand the aftercare
• Ask the vital question – if it goes wrong, who will fix it?

When cosmetic procedures go wrong, the consequences can be devastating for patients.

Two years ago, Leah Mattson travelled to İzmir in Turkey to have gastric sleeve surgery.

While the surgery was initially successful and helped her lose weight, last year the 27-year-old returned to the same company to remove excess skin.

This time, the procedure left her with a lopsided belly button, deep scarring on her arms and stomach area that she says left her feeling worse.

After seeing the results of her surgery, Leah said she burst into tears.

“I just wanted to cry and I feel like I actually disliked my body more than when I was overweight.”

Leah found the clinic on social media and was encouraged by other people’s positive experiences with similar surgeries.

“On apps like Instagram and TikTok, you search for weight-loss surgery and see the majority of people go to Turkey,” she explained.

“I was thinking well all these people have had great experiences so I’m going to go.

“I just trusted them because I thought well if they’re okay then I’ll be okay and I didn’t really pay much attention to the horror stories,” she added.

“I didn’t think it would ever happen to me.”

Leah now documents her experience on social media, using her platform to inform others about the risks involved in similar procedures.

The clinic which performed Leah’s surgery in Turkey could not be reached for comment, but they previously issued a statement saying “plastic surgery isn’t straight-forward and unfortunately some health issues or complications cannot be anticipated”.

Experts are urging people to think beyond the slick brochures and marketing, and to consider clinical standards, complication risks, and language barriers.

The Foreign Office will also provide more detailed travel advice for those considering going overseas for such procedures.

Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty said: “If you choose to travel abroad for medical treatment, it is vital you do your research and are fully aware of the risks involved.”

“We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice, relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies, and research foreign providers thoroughly to ensure they meet the highest standard of care.”

“Informed choices today can help avoid serious complications tomorrow.”

Ali Law, TikTok’s UK public policy lead, said the platform was “committed” to helping users find “information from trusted sources when searching for topics related to physical and mental health.”

Earlier this month, ministers outlined plans to reduce unsafe cosmetic treatments in England.

Under the new rules, only “suitably qualified” and regulated health workers will be allowed to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts.

Clinics offering lower-risk procedures such as Botox and fillers will need a licence, and age limits will be introduced to stop children from copying dangerous beauty trends seen on social media.