Sexologist Dr. Susan Block has filed a motion to vacate with a California court after an arbitrator dismissed her case against Meta in June. Block’s original complaint, filed in May, sought arbitration for alleged “wrongful business practices,” including algorithmic discrimination and deactivation of her accounts.

Initial Arbitration and Dismissal

Dr. Susan Block, described as an internationally esteemed sexologist and LA’s longtime “Love Doctor,” initiated legal action against Meta, the parent corporation of Facebook and Instagram, in May 2024. Block’s complaint sought arbitration for what she termed “wrongful business practices,” including lack of accountability, algorithmic discrimination, and the deactivation of her sex advice accounts. She stated that she built and curated her Facebook and Instagram profiles over many years, starting in 2008, and always adhered to the platforms' terms and conditions. Block alleged that shortly after surpassing 10,000 Facebook followers, Meta shut down both her Facebook and Instagram accounts and banned her from all Meta sites and apps.

The case, titled “Dr. Susan Block vs. Instagram/META Platforms, Inc. (formerly known as Facebook, Inc.),” was scheduled for an arbitration hearing in Los Angeles on June 26. However, according to Block, the case did not proceed to the hearing. Instead, the arbitrator agreed with Meta’s legal team that the company was protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, leading to the dismissal of her case.

Block is represented by G&B Law LLP, based in Encino, California. Meta is represented by counsel from Mayer-Brown LLP.

Allegations of Algorithmic Discrimination and Dehumanization

Block asserts that Meta’s actions constitute a breach of contract and violate principles of fairness, free speech, and due process. She claims that the company’s failure to provide any warning, explanation, opportunity to address alleged community guidelines violations, or recourse for the deactivation amounts to an abuse of power, effectively silencing her voice and depriving her of access to a digital public sphere. Block stated, “Meta’s wanton, algorithmic, and unwarranted deactivation of my accounts has destroyed 15 years of hard labor in its social media mines, cut me off from essential communication channels, damaged my reputation, and infringed upon my freedom of speech as well as the freedom of my friends, family, and colleagues to hear me speak on their Meta feeds and in messenger.”

She further added, “This AI-controlled deactivation represents the normalization of dehumanization. AI of this kind is artificial ignorance. It’s killing our humanity first, on its way to killing all the humans.” Block also noted that the issue extends beyond her individual case, stating, “Meta activates and deactivates millions of people, doing great damage to our digital lives, mental health, personal relationships, art, work, fan bases and reputations. Sadly, most people cannot fight back. I am fighting back. No individual or entity should wield unchecked power to silence voices they disagree with in the public square. Mark Zuckerberg may consider it his ‘personal fiefdom,’ but Meta’s mega monopoly makes up such a large portion of the digital public square — it should be open to the public.”

Block contends that when Meta’s AI “content moderation” bots censored and deactivated her Facebook profile and Instagram account unfairly, arbitrarily, and without warning, Meta breached its own contracts. She stated, “Like countless other innocent Meta users posting about sex, politics, health and other debatable topics, I am the victim of an algorithm that identified buzz words on my profiles and incorrectly labeled me as being in violation of platform policies.” Block added that Meta adopted the algorithm’s conclusion without human review until she requested arbitration, and then Meta’s lawyers sought to ratify the algorithm to avoid further claims.

Motion to Vacate and Ongoing Legal Battle

On November 3, 2024, Dr. Susan Block, also known as “Dr. Suzy” and “Free Speech Woman,” announced she was stepping up her legal fight with Meta. On November 14, 2024, Block filed a motion to vacate with a California court. This new motion contends that the arbitrator was biased, uninformed of the issue, and lacked legal authority to rule on the original complaint. Block’s legal team argues that Silicon Valley-friendly interpretations of Section 230 have provided social media moguls like Mark Zuckerberg with protection, allowing them to exploit, censor, ban, and deny many users their right to free speech.

Key Facts

  • Dr. Susan Block filed a complaint against Meta in May 2024, seeking arbitration for “wrongful business practices.”
  • Block alleges algorithmic discrimination, lack of accountability, and deactivation of her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
  • The case was dismissed in June 2024 by an arbitrator who agreed with Meta’s defense under Section 230.
  • Block filed a motion to vacate with a California court in November 2024, contending the arbitrator was biased and lacked legal authority.
  • Block is represented by G&B Law LLP, while Meta is represented by Mayer-Brown LLP.
  • Block’s accounts were deactivated after she surpassed 10,000 Facebook followers, despite her claim of adhering to platform terms since 2008.