South Korea’s broadcast and communications watchdog has begun a fact-finding probe into Meta Platforms over allegations it suspended many Instagram accounts without just cause during a mass suspension wave that affected local users last year. The case could lead to corrective orders or penalties under telecom rules that bar service restrictions without legitimate reasons. Doubts persist over enforcement, as the regulator has yet to collect a 68 billion won fine from Google and Apple. Victims would also need separate civil suits for damages.

South Korea\'s Broadcasting and Media Communications Commission said on Feb. 11 it will begin a fact-finding probe into mass account suspensions on Meta Platforms\' Instagram that occurred in May and June last year. The regulator aims to determine whether the case violated the Telecommunications Business Act. It said monitoring to block child and youth sexual abuse and obscene content led to unrelated general accounts being permanently suspended without specific reasons. It will also review whether Meta delivered the promised “rapid and enhanced support” to Meta Verified subscribers seeking account recovery.