Joomla, a globally renowned open-source Content Management System (CMS) provider, is grappling with a perplexing and unjust situation. The official Facebook page for Joomla, established in December 2007 and boasting 162,000 likes, has recently been suspended by Meta. The stated reason for this suspension is “impersonation,” a claim that Joomla contends is unfounded. Despite multiple efforts to appeal and resolve the issue, Meta has maintained its stance, leaving Joomla and its extensive global community without a crucial platform for engagement and communication.
A Long-Established Presence
For 17 years, Joomla’s official Facebook page has served as a vital hub for community interaction and support. With over 5,800 posts and a following of more than 158,000 users, the page has been instrumental in providing updates, resources, and fostering technical discussions that drive innovation in web development. The sudden suspension of this long-standing page, based on an alleged “impersonation,” has left Joomla perplexed and concerned.
Appeal Efforts and Ongoing Challenges
Following an initial AI-driven suspension, Joomla’s team swiftly launched a series of appeals. Joomla’s efforts included direct emails to Meta’s appeals team, multiple live chat sessions, phone calls, and a comprehensive Webex meeting with Meta’s Pro Team. Despite presenting substantial evidence of Joomla’s authenticity and legitimacy, Meta has upheld its decision, exacerbating the confusion surrounding the initial claim. Joomla is left questioning: who are we purportedly impersonating?
Impact on Communication and Community
The suspension of Joomla’s Facebook page not only frustrates but also severely hampers Joomla’s ability to communicate with its vast and dedicated user base. Given Facebook’s pivotal role in Joomla’s community development, this suspension constitutes a major disruption. For an open-source organization that thrives on collaboration and user engagement, losing access to such an essential communication tool is deeply concerning.
Joomla’s Response and Appeal
Joomla acknowledges Meta’s responsibility to maintain platform integrity and user safety. However, in this case, the decision to permanently suspend Joomla’s page seems both unwarranted and inconsistent with Meta’s own policies on fairness and transparency. Joomla has consistently operated as a legitimate, open-source organization, with no evidence of wrongdoing or impersonation.
We understand Meta’s responsibility to protect its platform, but this suspension seems unwarranted. Our page has been an essential resource for almost two decades, with a significant following actively engaging with Joomla-related content. The allegation of impersonation is both perplexing and baseless,” stated Philip Walton, Vice President of Open Source Matters, the non-profit organization supporting The Joomla! Project.
Broader Implications
Joomla’s situation is not an isolated incident. It prompts broader concerns about Meta’s suspension policies, the role of AI in decision-making, and the effectiveness of their human review procedures. Many non-profit and open-source projects, like Joomla, depend on social platforms such as Facebook to connect with their communities. Arbitrary decisions can have far-reaching impacts on legitimate entities that contribute positively to the online ecosystem.
A Call for Fairness
Joomla urges Meta to re-evaluate this case with the seriousness and fairness it warrants. Having been a positive contributor to the online space for almost two decades, the suspension of Joomla’s Facebook page sends a troubling message to organizations that rely on the platform to reach their audiences.
Joomla is dedicated to collaborating with Meta to address and resolve this issue. We request a fair and transparent review of our case and the restoration of our page, which remains a valuable resource for countless individuals worldwide.
