After more than two decades, I am finally done!

Right from the start, I want to give you some "behind the scenes" history regarding my relationship with social media. I have been using what is known today as Facebook for what feels like a lifetime. I migrated from MySpace (yes, that one) in late 2004 after receiving an invitation from a close friend attending the University of San Diego. Back then, it was still known as theFacebook. I logged in and immediately fell in love with what I found. It was a "love story" that quickly turned the platform into my digital nerve center—a status it earned thanks to its user-friendly interface and the sense of security it felt at the time.

For over twenty years now—how time flies when you’re having fun—it has served as my perfect digital anchor. To me, it was more than just another social media platform for mingling; it was a curated archive of my life, my businesses, and my connections, existing in harmony with Twitter, YouTube, Blogger, and everywhere else I had a presence. I always viewed Facebook as the liberal uncle, Twitter as the unhinged aunt, and YouTube as the strict dad. A perfect symbiosis in a large, happy digital family. However, that harmony has changed drastically over the past year, and that is where my troubles began.

My troubles become more than a frustration:

We have all said that there is no such thing as free speech on social media, and I agree, given that these are private businesses with their own Terms of Service. At the same time, one should expect a certain level of stability. My personal struggles started last December. I have always enjoyed being part of the conversation and debating topics that catch my eye; it is a great way to connect with people. For years, I was able to do this without worrying about my digital presence, even though I was "banned" from Twitter at the end of Trump’s first term.

Getting banned from Twitter wasn’t a huge loss, since I only used it occasionally for entertainment. But I had Facebook, and for two decades, I never worried about my place there. That changed in December when I received my very first "strike" and was forced to verify my identity. Since then, I have endured no fewer than 20 such episodes, culminating in a complete shutdown of my account two weeks ago. I am still waiting for a reply, even though a manual review should have been completed 24 hours after my appeal.

I am fully aware of where these issues stem from: mass reporting from political opponents like the Vatniks (pro-Russians) and the MAGA cult. I know my debating style can be hard to handle for some, entertaining for those watching, and painful for those on the receiving end. Naturally, they try to report me to the "Facebook police." This has happened so many times that I believe Meta simply grew tired of seeing reports on me and closed the account. I have reached the conclusion that it is time to move on. I need to plan my digital future without the nerve center I relied on for twenty years.

My road going forward from here:

I must admit it isn't easy to move forward without a platform that has been so central to my digital life, but I have no choice. To be honest, I am tired of the constant lockouts, the scam emails, and the hijacked accounts—not to mention the sheer toxicity Facebook has succumbed to. What theFacebook was in 2004 is a far cry from what Facebook has become in 2026. While the algorithm offers an amazing opportunity to reach new eyes, that isn't everything. Social media should be about more than just likes, comments, and chasing attention.

If I have to choose between being at someone’s mercy—waiting for a response that might never come—or moving on, I choose to move on. As of writing this, regardless of my pending appeal, I am done. I have reactivated my X account (formerly Twitter) and will be focusing my energy on YouTube and, most importantly, this blog. I will use platforms like X as promotional tools for my creativity, preserving my sanity while staying focused on creating content that others can enjoy. One thing is certain: Meta has lost a paying customer. From now on, my dollars and Euros will be spent on premium versions of platforms that treat their users better.

So, Facebook: fix your shit, or don't. I’m out of here anyway!