DOVER, N.H. – The owner of Teatotaller Café in Somersworth, New Hampshire, has won a judgment of $100 plus court costs and interest against Instagram’s parent company for deleting his account. Emmett Soldati had relied on the account for six years to successfully promote his café, bakery, restaurant, and performance venue before it was abruptly removed in June 2018.
Seeking answers and potentially a refund, Soldati attempted to contact Instagram and its owner, Facebook, to no avail. Frustrated by the lack of response, he decided to take legal action by filing a lawsuit in a local small claims court.
Initially, a judge in Dover ruled against Soldati, granting Facebook’s motion to dismiss the case. However, undeterred, Soldati appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court, arguing that his breach of contract claim should not have been dismissed despite the possibility of it ultimately failing.
The court agreed with Soldati’s argument, rejecting the defense’s claim that Facebook was protected from liability under the federal Communications Decency Act. As a result, a circuit court judge ruled in favor of Soldati, not only awarding him a $100 judgment but also ordering Facebook to cover the costs and interest.
Since the incident, Soldati has closed his Somersworth location but has opened new cafes in Concord and Dover, continuing his passion for the culinary arts and hosting local performances.
When approached for a comment, WMUR reached out to Meta, the current owner of Instagram, but did not receive a response.
The case highlights the increasing challenges faced by individuals and businesses when handling disputes with social media platforms. By pursuing legal action, Soldati sought accountability and transparency from Instagram’s parent company, ultimately securing a ruling in his favor. The judgment serves as a reminder that social media platforms are not immune from legal consequences and must fulfill their contractual obligations to their users.
In an era where businesses heavily rely on social media for visibility and promotion, this case may prompt other entrepreneurs to evaluate their options when facing account deletions or other platform-related issues. Although the outcome does not set a legal precedent, it signifies that grievances against social media platforms can be addressed through legal channels, potentially safeguarding the rights and interests of business owners and content creators.