In September 2025, Indianapolis bankruptcy lawyer Mark S. Zuckerberg filed a lawsuit against Meta after the company suspended his Facebook account five times in eight years on accusations of impersonating a celebrity, causing him significant business losses. The attorney, who has practised for 38 years, claims that Meta breached its contract when it removed $11,000 worth of paid advertisements, thereby violating their agreement. The case highlights the shortcomings of automated platform systems and the real business consequences of name coincidences.
According to court documents, Zuckerberg repeatedly verified his identity with photo IDs and selfies, yet his account was suspended again in May 2025 and was only reinstated after the lawsuit was filed. Meta later admitted the error in a statement, acknowledging that it is working to prevent similar cases in the future. However, during the suspension periods, Zuckerberg lost substantial client traffic and revenue. The Indiana lawyer even set up his own website documenting the problems caused by the name similarity, including a mistaken lawsuit filed against him by the state of Washington.
The complaint, submitted to the Marion County court, seeks the permanent restoration of his account, reimbursement of lost advertising expenses, and payment of legal fees. The case could set a precedent for other platforms that use automated decision-making systems. Meta’s swift response to the lawsuit signals the company’s attempt to avoid further negative publicity, particularly in cases where its platform disrupts the legitimate business interests of a professional with a long-standing career.
Sources:
Max Matza - BBC News
