On December 8, 2025, artist and activist Emma Shapiro was dealt a blow when her Instagram account @nipeople was permanently shut down by Meta. The account, part of the Exposure Therapy project, aimed to challenge gender-based discrimination through provocative imagery.

The termination came after Shapiro posted a video depicting a utility pole covered in nipple stickers from the project. Meta cited 'account integrity' violations but failed to provide clear reasons for its decision or an effective appeal process, leading to Shapiro's legal challenge with Avant-Garde Lawyers (AGL).

Shapiro argues that such opaque decisions can stifle creativity and experimentation among artists. She has witnessed this firsthand through her work with Don't Delete Art, a project advocating for artistic freedom online.

The case is being heard through both an out-of-court dispute resolution procedure and a formal complaint to the Spanish Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC). The Digital Services Act aims to hold platforms accountable, but Shapiro warns that arbitrary removals can have a chilling effect on creative expression.

‘For artists, losing an account can mean losing years of work, audience and income overnight,’ said AGL’s Executive Director Andra Matei. This case highlights the systemic risks posed by unaccountable platform power in the digital age.