Conservative influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, are suing Meta and TikTok over what they describe as the “unlawful and politically motivated decision” to deplatform the pair on the social media sites.
The Tate brothers, who were banned from TikTok and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook in 2022, filed lawsuits against both companies last week, alleging a “coordinated campaign to suppress, silence, and destroy the reputations and livelihoods” of the two men.
“This campaign was carried out not merely by private actors, but in concert with government officials, media operatives, and ideological pressure groups—thus transforming Meta into a state actor for purposes of constitutional liability,” the filing reads.
A similar statement also appears in the TikTok lawsuit.
The brothers argue that the banning of their accounts amounts to a breach of contract and caused substantial financial losses, bringing a dozen claims against both Meta and TikTok.
They dispute the companies’ rationales for banning them, arguing that claims they promoted dangerous individuals or incited misogyny “lacked substantiation and were unsupported by adjudicated findings.” Andrew Tate is a self-described misogynist.
Meta declined to comment. TikTok did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
The Tate brothers, who are dual American and British citizens, face various charges in both the United Kingdom and Romania.
British prosecutors charged both men with rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm in May. Andrew Tate is also accused by the U.K. authorities of controlling prostitution. They face similar charges of human trafficking and sexual misconduct in Romania.
The brothers have denied any wrongdoing. They returned to the U.S. earlier this year, where they received a chilly reception. After they landed in Miami in February, the Florida attorney general launched an investigation into the two men.
