Meta Announces Facebook and Instagram Rationing
in New York State Due to Data Center Moratorium
Access to Services Limited to Every Other Day
MENLO PARK, Calif., September 9, 2026 — Meta Platforms, Inc. today announced emergency rationing of its services in New York State because of the state’s recent moratorium on data center construction. New York State residents will only be able to access Facebook and Instagram every other day so as to reduce the load on data centers.
“Almost anything you do with your phone or computer — sending texts, posting on Instagram, sharing cat videos, or protesting data centers — relies on a data center,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO. “As New York State limits the infrastructure available to serve our users, we are have no option but to ration access to Facebook and Instagram for New York State residents.”
“What did y’all think a moratorium meant? Vibes? Papers? Continued unlimited usage?” Zuckerberg continued. “Limiting data center capacity is totally on brand for a state that shut down the perfectly good Indian Point nuclear power plant — and now has some of the highest electricity prices in the country.”
About Meta
Meta is building the future of targeting, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people were targeted. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further targeted billions of people around the world. Meta had hoped to move beyond 2D screens and target legless avatars in the Metaverse. (Remember when we renamed the company after the Metaverse? Those were good times.)