The Oversight Board's Decided Cases
Policy Advisory Opinions
2021-001 PAO (Sharing of Residential Information)
- This policy advisory opinion request concerns Facebook's policy on the sharing of residential information, specifically, when that information should be considered private and removed from the platform. Under Facebook's current Community Standard on Privacy Violations and Image Privacy Rights, users should not share "private information" about themselves or others, including "imagery that display(s) the external view of private residences."
- Facebook request for policy advisory opinion (4/30/21)
- Oversight Board description (6/15/21)
- Facebook statement (6/15/21)
- Facebook policy update (made public 6/23/21)
- Oversight Board decision (2/8/22)
- Public comments synopsis (2/8/22)
- Meta response to recommendations (4/8/22)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 5/17 recommendations; "implementing in part" 1/17 recommendations; "assessing feasibility" for 6/17 recommendations; "no further action" for 5/17 recommendations
2020-001-FB-UA (Malaysian Public Figure Case)
- This case is no longer available to be reviewed by the board. It dealt with a user comment on a post and was mooted after a user deleted the original post to which the comment replied. The case concerned statements made by a former Malaysian Prime Minister about violence against French people. The case was appealed by a user after Facebook removed the content for violation of the platform’s Hate Speech policy.
- Oversight Board description (12/1/20)
- Facebook statement (12/1/20)
2020-002-FB-UA (Myanmar Hate Speech Case)
- This case concerns a photo of a deceased child and commentary on China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims and terror attacks in France inspired in part by cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed. It was appealed by a user after Facebook removed the content for violation of the platform’s Hate Speech policy.
- Oversight Board description (12/1/20)
- Facebook statement (12/1/20)
- Oversight Board decision (1/28/21)
- Public comments synopsis (1/28/21)
2020-003-FB-UA (Armenians in Azerbaijan Case)
- This case concerns photos displaying churches in Azerbaijan. It includes commentary on the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict, notably a statement against “Azerbaijani aggression” and “vandalism.” It was appealed by a user after Facebook removed the content for violation of the platform’s Hate Speech policy.
- Oversight Board description (12/1/20)
- Facebook statement (12/1/20)
- Oversight Board decision (1/28/21)
- Public comments synopsis (1/28/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (2/25/21)
- "Assessing feasibility" on 1/1 recommendations
2020-004-IG-UA (Breast Cancer Symptoms & Nudity Case)
- This case concerns photographs posted to Instagram relating to breast cancer symptoms that included female nudity. It was appealed by a user after Facebook removed the post for violating the platform's Adult Nudity and Sexual Activity policy.
- Oversight Board description (12/1/20)
- Facebook statement (12/1/20)
- Oversight Board decision (1/28/21)
- Public comments synopsis (1/28/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (2/25/21)
- "Committed to action" on 3/6 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 3/6 recommendations
2020-005-FB-UA (Nazi Quote Case)
- This case concerns a post that allegedly included a quote attributed to Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany. It was appealed by a user after Facebook removed the content for violating the platform's Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy.
- Oversight Board description (12/1/20)
- Facebook statement (12/1/20)
- Oversight Board decision (1/28/21)
- Public comments synopsis (1/28/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (2/25/21)
- "Committed to action" on 2/3 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 1/3 recommendations
2020-006-FB-FBR (Hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and COVID-19 case)
- This case concerns a video and accompanying text posted within a Facebook group that were related to COVID-19 and the French agency responsible for regulating health products. It was appealed by a user after Facebook removed the content for violating the platform’s Violence and Incitement Policy. After the user appealed the removal and prior to FOB ruling, Facebook identified it as an enforcement error and restored the content.
- Oversight Board description (12/1/20)
- Facebook statement (12/1/20)
- Oversight Board decision (1/28/21)
- Public comments synopsis (1/28/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (2/25/21)
- "Committed to action" on 6/7 recommendations, "no further action" on 1/6 recommendations
2020-007-FB-FBR (Veiled Threats Based on Religious Beliefs Case)
- This case concerns a photo of a man holding a sheathed sword with Hindi text overlay that discusses drawing the sword against French President Emmanuel Macron in response to criticism of the Prophet Muhammed. It was referred by Facebook after the platform removed the content for violating its policy on Violence and Incitement.
- Oversight Board description (12/3/21)
- Facebook statement (12/3/20)
- Oversight Board decision (2/12/21)
- Public comments synopsis (2/12/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (3/11/21)
- "Committed to action" on 1/1 recommendations
2021-001-FB-FBR (Trump Suspension Case)
- This case concerns two pieces of content posted on former U.S. President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts after rioters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. It was referred by Facebook after the platform removed the posts and subsequently suspended Trump indefinitely for violating its policy on Dangerous Individuals and Organizations and using the platform to "incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government."
- Oversight Board description (1/21/21)
- Facebook statement (1/21/21)
- Compiling public comments on the Trump suspension case
- On April 16, 2021, the Oversight Board announced that it has "extended the case timeline, in line with the Board's bylaws."
- Oversight Board decision (5/5/21)
- Public comments synopsis (5/5/21)
- Facebook response to decision (5/5/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (6/4/21)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 15/19 recommendations, "implementing in part" 1/19 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 2/19 recommendations and "no further action" on 1/19 recommendations.
2021-002-FB-UA (Zwarte Piet Case)
- This case concerns a video and accompanying text in Dutch depicting a child meeting adults dressed as 'Sinterklaas' or 'Saint Nicholas' and 'Zwarte Piet,' or 'Black Pete.' It was appealed by a user after Facebook removed the content for violating its policy on Hate Speech.
- Oversight Board description (1/29/21)
- Facebook statement (1/29/21)
- Oversight Board decision (4/13/21)
- Public comments synopsis (4/13/21)
- Facebook response to decision (5/13/21)
- Updated response (5/19/21)
- "Committed to action" on 2/2 recommendations
2021-003-FB-UA (Modi & Indian Sikhs Case)
- This case concerns a Punjabi-language video and accompanying text claiming that a Hindu nationalist organization and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are threatening to massacre Sikhs. It was appealed by a user after Facebook removed the content for violating its policy on Dangerous Individuals and Organizations. After the user appealed the removal and prior to FOB ruling, Facebook identified it as an enforcement error and restored the content.
- Oversight Board description (2/9/21)
- Facebook statement (2/9/21)
- Oversight Board decision (4/29/21)
- Public comments synopsis (4/29/21)
- Facebook response to decision (5/27/21)
- "Committed to action" on 2/3 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 1/3 recommendations
2021-004-FB-UA (Navalny Protests Case)
- This case concerns an exchange of comments between two users regarding one user's first-hand experience at the January 2021 protests in Russia over opposition leader Alexei Navalny's jailing. User A called User B a "common cowardly bot" because User B criticized the protesters, leading User B to report the comment. It was appealed by User A after Facebook removed the comment for violating its policy on Bullying and Harassment.
- Oversight Board description (3/2/21)
- Facebook statement (3/2/21)
- Oversight Board decision (5/26/21)
- Public comments synopsis (5/26/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (6/25/21)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 1/6 recommendations, "implementing in part" 2/3 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 3/6 recommendations
2021-005-FB-UA (Armenian Hate Speech Case)
- This case concerns an English-language "two buttons" meme posted by a United States user that depicted a Turkish flag "choosing" between two buttons that were labeled "The Armenian Genocide is a lie" and "The Armenians were terrorists who deserved it." It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the content, initially for violating its Cruel and Insensitive Community Standard; Facebook subsequently reclassified the removal to fall under its Hate Speech policy.
- Oversight Board description (3/2/21)
- Facebook statement (3/2/21)
- Oversight Board decision (5/20/21)
- Public comments synopsis (5/20/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (6/17/21)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 1/5 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 4/5 recommendations
2021-006-IG-UA (PKK Founder Abdullah Ӧcalan Case)
- This case concerns a picture posted to Instagram of Abdullah Ӧcalan, a founding member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), with accompanying text urging users to discuss ending Ӧcalan's isolation in prison. It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the post for violating Instagram's Community Guidelines on Dangerous Individuals and Organizations.
- Oversight Board description (4/20/21)
- Facebook statement (4/20/21)
- Oversight Board decision (7/8/21)
- Public comments synopsis (7/8/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (8/6/21)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 6/12 recommendations, "implementing in part" 2/12 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 1/12 recommendations, "no further action" on 1/12 recommendations; 2/12 recommendations deemed "work that Facebook already does"
2021-007-FB-UA (Situation in Myanmar & Profanity Case)
- This case concerns text posted to Facebook criticizing the Myanmar military in the aftermath of the 2021 coup, with several terms that Facebook's translation identified as referring to China and possible profanity. It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the post for violating its Hate Speech Community Standard.
- Oversight Board description (5/20/21)
- Facebook statement (5/20/21)
- Oversight Board decision (8/12/21)
- Public comments synopsis (8/12/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (9/10/21)
- No further action on 1/1 recommendations.
2021-008-FB-FBR (Brazilian Authority on COVID Lockdown Case)
- This case concerns a written notice posted to Facebook by a Brazilian state-level medical authority claiming that lockdowns are ineffective and against the population's rights. It was not reported, nor removed from the platform, but Facebook referred the case to the board, stating that the content does not directly violate Facebook's policies, but could be removed under the Misinformation and Harm policy within Facebook's Violence and Incitement Community Standard.
- Oversight Board description (6/2/21)
- Facebook statement (6/2/21)
- Oversight Board decision (8/19/21)
- Public comments synopsis (8/19/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (9/17/21)
- Committed to "fully implementing" 1/3 recommendations; 2/3 recommendations deemed "work that Facebook already does"
2021-009-FB-UA (Al Jazeera Post on Israel & Palestine Case)
- This case concerns a post from a verified Al Jazeera news page about escalating violence in Israel and Palestine, consisting of a photo of individuals wearing Hamas military insignia with text in Arabic that stated, "'He Who Warns is Excused.' Al-Qassam Brigades military spokesman threatens the occupation forces if they do not withdraw from Al-Aqsa Mosque." It was appealed by the user after Facebook initially removed the post for violating its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations Community Standard; after the Board asked Facebook to confirm the eligibility of this post for review, Facebook identified the removal as an enforcement error and restored the content.
- Oversight Board description (6/30/21)
- Facebook statement (6/30/21)
- Oversight Board decision (9/14/21)
- Public comments synopsis (9/14/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (10/14/21)
- Committed to "fully implementing" 1/4 recommendations, "implementing in part" 1/4 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 2/4 recommendations
2021-010-FB-UA (Protests in Colombia Case)
- This case concerns a post by a verified Facebook page that shows a video of protesters in Columbia who, as part of their chant, use slurs to to describe the Columbian president. It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the post for violating its Hate Speech policy.
- Oversight Board description (7/13/21)
- Facebook statement (7/13/21)
- Oversight Board decision (9/27/21)
- Public comments synopsis (9/27/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (10/27/21)
- Committed to "fully implementing" 1/4 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 2/4 recommendations, 1/4 recommendations deemed "work that Facebook already does"
2021-011-FB-UA (Slurs to Discuss Situation in South Africa Case)
- This case concerns text posted to a Facebook group that discusses "multi-racialism" in South Africa, expressing discontent with wealth distribution and race in South Africa and using a number of racial slurs. It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the post for violating its Hate Speech policy.
- Oversight Board description (7/13/21)
- Facebook statement (7/13/21)
- Oversight Board decision (9/28/21)
- Public comments synopsis (9/28/21)
- Facebook response to recommendations (10/27/21)
- Committed to "implementing in part" 1/1 recommendations
2021-012-FB-UA (Indigenous Art and Kamloops School Case)
- This case concerns a picture posted to Facebook of Indigenous artwork, with accompanying text referencing the Kamloops story about unmarked graves at a former residential school for First Nations children in Canada. It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the post for violating its Hate Speech policy; after the Board selected the case, Facebook identified the removal as an enforcement error and restored the content.
- Oversight Board description (9/16/21)
- Facebook statement (9/16/21)
- Oversight Board decision (12/9/21)
- Public comments synopsis (12/9/21)
- Meta response to recommendations (1/7/22)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 1/3 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 1/3 recommendations, 1/3 recommendations deemed "work Meta already does"
2021-013-IG-UA (Ayahuasca Case)
- This case concerns a picture posted to Instagram of a jarred liquid with accompanying text describing the substance as ayahuasca and stating that it is a "remedy" that "can help you." It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the content for violating Instagram's Community Guidelines on Regulated Goods.
- Oversight Board description (9/16/21)
- Facebook statement (9/16/21)
- Oversight Board decision (12/9/21)
- Public comments synopsis (12/9/21)
- Meta response to recommendations (1/7/22)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 1/3 recommendations, "implementing in part" 1/3 recommendations, "assessing feasibility" on 1/3 recommendations
2021-014-FB-UA (Violence in Tigray Case)
- This case concerns text posted to Facebook in July 2021 alleging that the Tigray People's Liberation Front killed and raped women and children. It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the post for violating its Hate Speech Community Standard; after the Board selected the case, Facebook identified the removal as an enforcement error and restored the content.
- Oversight Board description (9/16/21)
- Facebook statement (9/16/21)
- Oversight Board decision (12/14/21)
- Public comments synopsis (12/14/21)
- Meta response to recommendations (1/13/22)
- Committed to "implementing in part" 1/3 recommendations, "assessing feasibility on 1/3 recommendations," "no further action" on 1/3 recommendations
2021-015-FB-UA (Advice on Pharmaceutical Drugs Case)
- This case concerns text posted to a private Facebook group for adults with ADHD in which a user requested advice for speaking to a doctor about specific prescription drugs. It was appealed by the user after Facebook removed the post for violating its Regulated Goods Community Standard; after the Board selected the case, Facebook identified the removal as an enforcement error and restored the content.
- Oversight Board description (11/2/21)
- Facebook statement (11/2/21)
- Oversight Board decision (2/1/22)
- Public comments synopsis (2/1/22)
- Meta response to recommendations (4/1/22)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 1/3 recommendations; "implementing in part" 1/3 recommendations; "assessing feasibility" for 1/3 recommendations
2021-016-FB-FBR (Journalism on Sexual Violence Case)
- This case concerns text posted to Facebook by a Swedish journalist describing sexual violence against minors. The post was originally reported in 2019, at which point Facebook found the content to be non-violating. Facebook later removed the post for violating its Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Nudity Community Standard after the content was flagged again in 2021, at which point Facebook referred the case to the board.
- Oversight Board description (11/2/21)
- Facebook statement (11/2/21)
- Oversight Board decision (2/1/22)
- Public comments synopsis (2/1/22)
- Meta response to recommendations (4/1/22)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 2/2 recommendations
2022-001-FB-UA (Knin Cartoon Case)
- This case concerns an edited cartoon video posted to Facebook depicting a city, labeled as the Croation city of Knin, overrun by rats. The content was reported more than 390 times; after Meta determined the content was not in violation of its Community Standards, a user who had reported the content appealed the decision to leave it up. After the Board selected the case, Meta identified the decision to keep the content up as an enforcement error and removed it as a violation of the Hate Speech policy.
- Oversight Board description (3/15/22)
- Meta statement (3/15/22)
- Oversight Board decision (6/17/22)
- Public comments synopsis (6/17/22)
- Meta response to recommendations (8/16/22)
- Committed to "implementing fully" 1/2 recommendations and "implementing in part" 1/2 recommendations.
2022-002-FB-MR (Sudan Graphic Video Case)
- This case concerns a graphic video depicting a civilian victim of violence in Sudan following a military coup in the country on Oct. 25, 20211. It was referred by Meta after Meta first took down the post for violating the Violent and Graphic Content Community Standard, and then restored it under the newsworthiness allowance.
- Oversight Board description (3/15/22)
- Meta statement (3/15/22)
- Oversight Board decision (6/13/22)
- Public comments synopsis (6/13/22)
- Meta response to recommendations (8/12/22)
- Committed to "implementing full 1/4 recommendations" and "assessing feasibility" of 3/4 recommendations.
2022-003-IG-UA (Reclaiming Arabic Words Case)
- This case concerns a series of photos posted to Instagram showing different words that can be used in derogatory ways towards men with "effeminate mannerisms" in the Arabic world by an account that identifies itself as a space for discussing queer narratives in the Arabic culture. It was appealed by the user after Meta removed the content for violating its Hate Speech Community Standard; after a total of six reviews by human content moderators, Meta determined that the post did not actually violate the Hate Speech policy.
- Oversight Board description (3/15/22)
- Meta statement (3/15/22)
- Oversight Board decision (6/13/22)
- Public comments synopsis (6/13/22)
2022-004-FB-UA (Colombian Police Cartoon Case)
- This case concerns a comment with a cartoon posted to Facebook depicting violence by the National Police of Colombia. It was appealed by the user after Meta removed the content, initially for violating its policy on Dangerous Individuals and Organizations, then later, for violating its policy on Violence and Incitement. After the Board selected the case, Meta identified the removal as an enforcement error and restored the content.
- Oversight Board description (5/11/22)
- Meta statement (5/11/22)
- Oversight Board decision (9/14/22)
- Public comments synopsis (9/14/22)
2022-005-FB-UA (Mention of the Taliban in News Case)
- This case concerns a Facebook post by an Indian news organization about a Taliban announcement on the education of women. It was appealed by the user after Meta removed the content for violating its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations community standard; after the Board selected the case, Meta identified the removal as an enforcement error and restored the content.
- Oversight Board description (5/11/22)
- Meta statement (5/11/22)
- Oversight Board decision (9/14/22)
- Public comments synopsis (9/14/22)
2022-006-FB-MR (Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau Case)
- This case concerns content posted to Facebook by the Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau criticizing the leadership of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which was reported by 10 users. It was referred by Meta after the post was removed for violating its Violence and Incitement policy, stating that the decision was difficult because it involves removing "official government speech that could be considered newsworthy."
- Oversight Board description (5/11/22)
- Meta statement (5/11/22)
- Oversight Board decision (10/4/22)
- Public comments synopsis (10/4/22)