Over the past few months, I have become increasingly concerned about what appear to be ongoing attempts to unduly restrict my communications and access to key platforms, in ways that are significantly affecting both my personal and professional life.

Firstly, my long-standing UK mobile number was disconnected by O2 on March 10th due to alleged “fraud usage.” Nearly three months later, I still have not been given any clear explanation as to what specific activity led to this decision, despite repeated attempts to seek clarification. I was also informed that a “DO NOT RECONNECT” instruction had been placed on my account.

This has created enormous disruption, as the number has been connected to numerous personal and professional accounts for years, including platforms requiring two-factor authentication. As things currently stand, I cannot receive calls or text messages to that number.

To be absolutely clear: I have not engaged in fraud.

However, because no actual explanation has been provided, I feel it is important to note that in the days leading up to the disconnection, an O2 employee at the Woolwich High Street store inserted my SIM card into multiple devices while attempting to diagnose issues I was having with making calls. Another O2 employee later assured me that this should not trigger a fraud flag, but given the lack of transparency from O2, I cannot rule out the possibility that this activity contributed to the issue.

This situation also follows a previous experience with Vodafone, after I had made calls to an employment lawyer regarding harassment and surveillance concerns connected to a former employer. Following those calls, I became unable to place normal phone calls for an extended period of time and repeatedly received the message: “calls to this number are restricted on this phone.” For around a year, I could only make calls through WhatsApp, eventually leading me to cancel my Vodafone contract and move to O2. Now, I find myself experiencing another serious communications issue with a different provider.

Additionally, I have experienced concerning activity relating to my LinkedIn account this year. On multiple occasions, I was unexpectedly signed out of my account, and upon regaining access, I noticed that certain connections and messages appeared to have been removed. The most recent time this occurred, my two-factor authentication settings had somehow been changed to require verification through the same phone number that had already been disconnected — despite the fact that I had never knowingly configured that number as my LinkedIn 2FA method.

None of this activity appeared to trigger any security concern from LinkedIn itself. However, once I raised concerns with LinkedIn regarding possible unauthorized activity on my account, I was locked out and instructed to complete ID verification.

I submitted the photo page of my passport, which is the strongest form of identification I possess, but was told it could not be approved and that I needed to provide alternative government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s licence — despite already having submitted my passport. I repeatedly asked why my passport had not been accepted, but the LinkedIn Trust & Consumer Support Consultant handling my case, Hari Krishna, repeatedly declined to answer the question directly, instead continuing to request alternate ID. My appeal has now been denied.

While it is difficult to determine to what extent these incidents may or may not be connected, I am deeply concerned that multiple serious disruptions to my communications and digital access are occurring simultaneously, with little transparency, accountability, or meaningful explanation provided.

These issues appear to be unfolding in the wider context of ongoing retaliation, covert repression, and intimidation connected to my advocacy work and my willingness to speak openly about workplace abuse, racial harm, surveillance concerns, and broader systemic issues affecting vulnerable and marginalized communities.

I also want to sincerely apologise to anyone who has attempted to contact me via my UK number or LinkedIn and has not received a response as a result of these issues.

For the time being, the best way to reach me is via email or through the contact form on the Bounce Black website.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support me and the work of Bounce Black during what has been an incredibly difficult and disruptive period.

— Nikki Adebiyi
Founder, Bounce Black