In a bizarre turn of events, Facebook users are finding themselves in an information blackout as Cyclone Alfred barrels towards Queensland’s coast. The tech giant appears to be blocking searches related to the cyclone, which could leave Aussies scrambling for crucial updates just when they need them most.
Screenshots shared on X (formerly Twitter) show users encountering a message stating, “Posts with #CycloneAlfred are temporarily hidden here. Some content in those posts goes against our Community Standards.”
People are definitely frustrated at the discovery, with X users venting their concerns.
“Facebook won’t show posts about Cyclone Alfred… but will say 26k are talking about it,” X user Ayden Dawkins said.
Another user expressed their disbelief: “A cyclone is bearing down on us and you can’t search information about it on Facebook. The audacity of @Meta #CycloneAlfred.”
“Was trying to check in on community groups as my family and friends are mostly in Brisbane and have been met with @Meta and @facebook censoring a cyclone???” Sydney writer, Kriti Gupta added on X.
When PEDESTRIAN.TV reached out to Meta for comment, a spokesperson chalked it up to a “technical glitch” that had since “been resolved”. However, at the time of writing, searches for Cyclone Alfred on Facebook still only bring up the Climate Science Centre. According to Meta, The Climate Science Centre “connects people on Facebook with science-based news, approachable information and actionable resources from the world’s leading climate change organisations”.
The search results do not show community help groups, news updates, and emergency information conspicuously absent. Not exactly reassuring when there’s a category two cyclone knocking on our door, is it?
Whether it’s a technical glitch or something more nefarious, it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli stressed the urgency of the situation on ABC News Breakfast: “In the last few days, we’ve spoken to people about having days to prepare; we’re moving into that phase where it’s now about hours. Do all the little things now, it’ll make a world of difference.”
So why does Facebook’s apparent censorship matter?
Social media has become a crucial tool for emergency communication and community support during disasters.
Gurjit Singh from Australian Sikh Support, a not-for-profit organisation that’s been active in various disaster relief efforts including multiple bushfires and the NSW floods in 2022, emphasised the importance of social media platforms like Facebook.
“Whatever the emergency is, whether it is in the middle of New South Wales, or Queensland, where there are people affected, there is a responsibility,” he told PEDESTRIAN.TV. “There is a duty of care, because we need as much information as the news channels for social sites like Facebook. Facebook pages need to deliver information as soon as possible to the public.”
Singh added, “If they are not doing their responsibility, it is bad. The social sites — YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok and even news channels — have double [the] responsibility to share the information and deliver the information to the public as soon as possible and [with] correct information, so people can make a plan to save themselves. People can make [a plan] if they want to help each other, they can immediately get the information.”
Liz Hankin, a volunteer during the 2022 NSW Floods in Murwillumbah, echoed this sentiment.”Social media is such a fundamental part of communication with the community, and it did definitely help significantly with keeping everyone connected and aware of what was available to them,” she told PEDESTRIAN.TV
Hankin even noted that during relief efforts, there was a dedicated volunteer whose sole job was to share information on Facebook. “Everyone tends to rely on social media for updates and to know what’s going on,” she explained.
“I think one of the things that the hub that we gave away the most was battery banks because there wasn’t any electricity. And why do we need battery banks? To be on our phones, to be on social media.”
As Cyclone Alfred approaches bringing with it damaging winds up to 155 km/h and heavy rainfall, the need for accurate, timely information couldn’t be more critical.
NSW Premier Chris Minns told media on Tuesday morning, “Even with all of those resources … we still rely on the public to act early, be prepared to listen to information so that we can limit the amount of exposure to people potentially losing their lives,” he said, per the ABC.
While Facebook sorts out its “technical glitch”, it’s worth remembering that there are other sources of information available.The Bureau of Meteorology, local emergency services, and other social media platforms can provide crucial updates.
But the fact remains: in 2025, when social media is often our first port of call for breaking news and emergency information, Facebook’s fumble is more than just an inconvenience – it’s potentially dangerous.
For information on how to prepare for a cyclone, click HERE. You can check out all the associated cyclone warnings HERE. If you’re in an affected cyclone area, you can find advice HERE.
UPDATE: After publishing this story, Facebook searches for ‘Cyclone Alfred’ appeared to be working again.
A Meta spokesperson also sent PEDESTRIAN.TV another statement: “Facebook has not intentionally blocked or hidden search results relating to Cyclone Alfred. We did experience a technical issue, which our teams have been working to resolve, and relevant information should now be available for most users. We apologise for the mistake and hope everyone stays safe.”
Lead image: X / Facebook / Canva
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