Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has been accused of censoring abortion information on its platform, sparking concerns about accessibility and free speech. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, saw several posts on the Instagram page of Aid Access, an abortion pill provider, being blocked or blurred, making it difficult for users to access the information.

The blocked posts included instructions on performing at-home abortions using pills, which is a safe and legal procedure according to the World Health Organization. The restriction also made it difficult for users to find the Aid Access account using the app's search function. Although Meta restored some of the posts by Thursday evening, the incident has raised concerns about the company's stance on abortion information.

This is not the first time Meta has restricted abortion information online. The company has been criticized in the past for censoring abortion-related content, and this latest incident has sparked concerns about the company's right-wing pivot. Meta has recently rolled back its policies to allow more hate speech and offensive content on its platforms, citing "free expression" as the reason.

Rebecca Davis, marketing lead at Hey Jane, a virtual reproductive care provider, expressed concerns about the impact of Meta's censorship on patients seeking abortion information. "Social media is an important place for patients to seek information about abortions," Davis said. "We've spent a lot of time and energy to really build up our social presence, so we're verified on Instagram, we're verified on TikTok." Davis also reported that Hey Jane's Instagram profile was not easily accessible through the app's search features, making it difficult for patients to find the information they need.

Meta spokesperson Erin Logan attributed the issues to "a variety of problems — some due to correct enforcement, as well as over-enforcement." Logan stated that the company prohibits the sale of pharmaceutical drugs on its platforms without a LegitScript certification, which Hey Jane has obtained. However, Logan did not provide specifics on how the company plans to address the issues faced by abortion rights groups.

The incident has sparked concerns about the accessibility of abortion information online, particularly for patients in states where abortion is banned or restricted. Davis emphasized that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are crucial for patients seeking urgent information about abortions. "While this moment certainly points to the value in diversifying the platforms that we're on, that doesn't necessarily mean that people who are seeking abortion care are going to be off of these platforms," Davis said.

The incident also raises questions about Meta's commitment to free speech and accessibility. As the company continues to shift towards allowing more hateful content on its platforms, it remains to be seen how it will balance this approach with the need to provide accurate and accessible information about abortion and reproductive healthcare.

In the meantime, patients and providers are left to navigate the complex and often restrictive online landscape, seeking alternative platforms and channels to access and share information about abortion and reproductive healthcare.