Disabled for account integrity on Facebook or Instagram

"Account integrity" is the name of a Meta rule, not a description of what you did. It covers the account as a whole: serious or repeated rule breaks, links to other disabled accounts, accounts made to get around a ban, and automated use. If you see it, request a review if the notice offers one, ask for the exact reason, and do not open a new account.

What account integrity covers

Account integrity is one of the Community Standards that apply to both Facebook and Instagram. In Meta's own words, the policy is about removing accounts "that are harmful to the community". Meta says it uses both automated and manual systems for this. According to the policy, Meta may restrict or disable accounts that:

break the Community Standards seriously, or keep breaking them after warnings
belong to the same person as an account that was already disabled
were created or reused to get around an earlier removal
are closely linked to a network of accounts that break or evade the rules
show activity that points to a clear violating purpose

The policy also says Meta may ask for more information about accounts that look hacked, accounts run by automated means such as scripts, and empty accounts that have been dormant for a long time.

Why the reason feels so vague

Most bans point to one post. This one usually does not. It is a judgement about the whole account, and the notice rarely says which account, link or activity triggered it. That is frustrating, but it also gives you a concrete thing to ask for.

The rule can reach situations you might not think of. Some examples the policy itself covers:

An old account of yours was disabled years ago, and Meta links it to your current one.
A growth tool, scheduler or follower app logs in for you and acts like automation.
Someone else ran your account for a while, or a hacker used it.

What to do now

Screenshot the notice and anything in Account Status. Note the date.
Request a review if the notice offers it. Meta says the notice tells you whether you can.
Explain plainly who you are and what the account is for. You run one personal account? Say so. You have a second account? Name it and explain why.
List the apps you connected. If you used a scheduler or follower tool, say which one and that you have stopped. Remove apps you do not recognise once you can log in.
Mention any hack with dates, and any emails about changed passwords or email addresses.
Do not create a new account. Accounts made to get around a removal are part of this exact policy, and a new one can make your case worse.

More on the general process in Facebook account disabled and, for Instagram, Instagram account disabled.

The EU route

If you live in the EU, the Digital Services Act (DSA) helps most where a reason is vague:

A clear and specific reason. Meta must tell you the facts behind the decision, the rule it relies on, whether automated tools were used, and how to challenge it. "Account integrity" alone names a rule, not the facts. You can ask for them.
A free internal complaint for at least six months after the decision, not decided by automated means alone.
A certified dispute body. Free or a nominal fee for you, a decision within 90 days of receiving your complaint. Be aware: Appeals Centre Europe says it cannot review decisions about an account's behaviour, such as suspected fake accounts, automation, networks, ban evasion or links to a suspended account. User Rights and Platform Control list Facebook and Instagram and include account suspensions in their scope. Ask the body whether it takes your case before you file.
Your data. Under the GDPR you can ask Meta for a free copy of your personal data, answered within one month. It can show which accounts and logins Meta connects to you.

The courts stay open as well. Outside the EU, the in-app review is your main route. See all options on the Facebook page and the Instagram page.

Watch out for scams

Nobody outside Meta can reverse an account integrity decision. Never pay for "recovery" and never give anyone your password.

Questions people ask

What does account integrity mean on Instagram?

It is the name of one of Meta's Community Standards, used on Facebook and Instagram. It is about the account as a whole: repeated or serious rule breaks, links to other disabled accounts, accounts made to get around a ban, and automated use. It does not tell you which post or action caused the decision.

Can I appeal an account integrity ban?

Meta says the disabled notice tells you whether you can request another review. If that option is there, use it. If you live in the EU, you also have a free internal complaint and the route to a certified dispute body.

Was I banned because of another account?

It is possible. Meta's policy says it may disable accounts owned by the same person as a disabled account. If you have an old or second account that was disabled, say so in your appeal and explain how the accounts are related.

Will Appeals Centre Europe take an account integrity case?

Possibly not. Its FAQ says it cannot review decisions about an account's behaviour, such as suspected fake or bot accounts, automation, networks, ban evasion or links to a suspended account. Other certified bodies, such as User Rights and Platform Control, describe account suspensions as part of their scope. Ask them before you file.

Checked against: transparency.meta.com, transparency.meta.com, facebook.com, appealscentre.eu, user-rights.org