Baker's profiles frozen after sharing cake photo

A woman who runs a bakery business said her sales had dropped by nearly 50% after her social media accounts were suspended for "no apparent reason".

Kiersten George, whose firm is based in Wivenhoe near Colchester, relies on Instagram and Facebook.

The 47-year-old said she had been reduced to tears since the accounts were suddenly frozen after posting a picture of a cake online on 6 March.

According to Meta's website - which is the company that owns the online platforms - businesses wanting to appeal need to submit valid business verification documents, proof of ownership and a clear explanation of the business case.

George explained the accounts were frozen moments after she shared the image of the floral-themed cake, alongside a promotional code, celebrating a year since she moved the business to Wivenhoe.

"I wish I knew why and I think that's part of my torment and torture. What did I do?" said George, speaking to BBC Essex presenter Sonia Watson.

"There was either something in the image or the picture or something that I said that was untoward."

Customers trying to navigate to the pages are told the "content isn't available".

She said that she had been trying to contact Meta.

"There are no humans at the end of the line - I don't know what else to do, I rely on it so much, it's infuriating," she said.

With Easter fast approaching, she is worried the problem will not be resolved at a time where she could have recouped her losses.

Her pre-orders and sales were down 42% on Mother's Day, she said, compared with her usual takings for a weekend.

Jade Bartholomew, who runs an online marketing agency in Billericay, said Meta's moderation filters could be "very strict".

She says companies like hers can make contact with Meta on a client's behalf when accounts get suspended, but that using social media comes with risks.

"Users need to be made aware that social media sites are not perfect - we don't have any ownership of these pages," she said.

The BBC approached Meta for comment.

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