Zufi Abdul has been banned from his Cannoli Boss Instagram page.
UPDATE: An urgent battle is underway as Zufi Abdul, an 18-year-old pastry chef from Sydney, fights to regain access to his Instagram account, which was abruptly closed by Meta on July 11, 2023. The sudden suspension has left Zufi feeling “helpless,” jeopardizing his burgeoning cannoli business.
Zufi’s Instagram page, known as Cannoli Boss, was taken down after a 16-second video showcasing his culinary skills was flagged for violating community guidelines related to child abuse and nudity. The video featured clips of Zufi in his kitchen, crafting cannoli and interacting with fellow cooks, captioned: “Cannoli hustling, not schoolwork.”
“I was straight up banned with no warning,” Zufi explained to 7NEWS.com.au. “I appealed the decision, but was advised to seek legal counsel if I wanted to contest it further.” Disturbingly, the same video was cross-posted on TikTok without any issues.
In his desperate attempt to rectify the situation, Zufi has worked through Instagram’s online support channels and even visited Meta’s Australian headquarters in Sydney. “I feel like my reputation is absolutely shattered,” he lamented. “I’m still trying to track down customers to reimburse them for orders I now can’t fulfill.”
The young chef, balancing his business with studies for his HSC trials, expressed that the loss of his Instagram account has thrown 18 months of hard work “in the bin.” With 1,400 followers, his Instagram page is crucial for reaching customers and promoting his products.
“I feel helpless. I rely on Instagram. I’m Gen Z — I’m always on social media,” he stated. Zufi hopes Meta will not only reinstate his account but also issue an apology for the distress caused.
Zufi first gained attention in April when he appeared on Channel 7’s The Morning Show, revealing how he discovered his passion for cooking during lockdown. He humorously referred to cannoli as “my energy source,” highlighting the balance between his studies and his entrepreneurial ambitions. His signature cannoli tower has become a popular alternative to traditional cakes for special occasions.
As this story develops, the community is rallying behind Zufi, showing support for the young entrepreneur who is determined to reclaim his social media presence and continue his business.
Meta has been contacted for comment regarding this incident but has yet to respond.
Stay tuned for further updates as Zufi’s fight for justice continues.
