The Great Mute of 2012

"The Great Mute (also known as the Channel 4 Protest) was a Habbo-wide mute that occurred on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 in response to a news report by United Kingdom news program Channel 4 that revealed sexual allegations about Habbo. The mute affected all Habbo communities around the world and prevented any conversations from happening through the main chat interface, the minimail, and console.

On June 19, CEO of Habbo Paul LaFontaine announced plans for the "Great Unmute", which would include a new limit chat system as well as an overall update on moderation.

The limited chat system underwent beta testing on international hotels on June 21. On July 6, the final community, Habbo.com, received limited chat, marking the end of the mute. It was also announced on July 17 that free chat would be slowly coming back, and on August 2, Habbo.com became the last community to get it."

-habbo.fandom

As of 2021, many habbos still remember the great mute and it is a common conversation starter to the type of habbo that has logged onto habbo for the first time in months or years. The Great Mute can be referred to Habbos first Big Mistake due to the huge loss of population the game experienced afterwards. Something similar to it would not be seen again until 2021's Habbo Armageddon.