Instagram takes Celebration Box offline, founder says 'under attack from internet troll or hacker'

Monday, 26 November 2018

Celebration Box has tens of thousands of online followers.

New Zealand business Celebration Box has been taken offline by social media platform Instagram.

Celebration Box sells gift boxes online, filled with packaged and loose confectionery and doughnuts, and priced between $40 and nearly $100.

Founder Iyia Liu said her Instagram account had been temporarily disabled because of an attack by an internet troll or hacker.

'We are working with Facebook and Instagram to get the account re-instated, and have been advised that we should see a result around 24 hours.'

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She said it was frustrating.

'We do generate some business through Instagram however it is not our only platform. A lot of customers are repeat customers on our email database, we also get a lot of direct searches.'

Instagram warns that accounts are disabled if they do not follow community guidelines or terms of use.

'If you think your account was disabled by mistake, you may be able to appeal the decision by opening the app, entering your username and password and following the on-screen instructions.'

The business has not yet been running six months but has been subject to significant controversy.

Liu, who also founded Luxe Fitness and Bambi Boutique, started the website in the middle of this year but disgruntled customers have complained about late deliveries, some boxes not arriving up at all, poor communication and being blocked on social media for complaining.