Instagram users accuse platform of censoring posts supporting Palestine

Users say their posts no longer appear at top of feeds and some suspect platform is shadow-banning, or demoting content

Instagram users are accusing the social network of purposefully censoring posts in support of Palestine - underscoring longstanding concerns about unfair moderation as war rages in Gaza.

Hena Mustafa, an Instagram user with 866 followers based in New York City, said that since she began posting about developments in Palestine as Israel mounted its siege in the past week, her Stories - photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours - have been receiving significantly less views". Friends and followers have messaged Mustafa to tell her that her posts are no longer appearing at the top of their Instagram feeds, her name has become unsearchable on the social network, and they are unable to interact with her posts.