Case Decisions and Policy Advisory Opinions
The Oversight Board reviews Meta’s content decisions to see if the company acted in line with its own policies, values and human rights commitments. The Board can choose to overturn or uphold Meta’s decision.
Case Decisions
All three types result in binding decisions that Meta must implement.
Standard
In-depth review of Meta’s decision to remove or allow a post, which includes recommendations.
Summary
Analysis of Meta’s original decision on a post when the company later changes its mind, after the Board selects the case for review.
Expedited
Rapid review of Meta’s decision on a post in exceptional situations with urgent real-world consequences.
Standard
Multiple Case Decision
2026-001-FB-UA, 2026-002-IG-UA
Emojis Targeting Black People
The Oversight Board overturns Meta's original decisions to keep up two pieces of content that use emojis to express hate, discrimination and harassment towards Black people by comparing them to monkeys.
Standard
Overturned
2026-003-FB-UA
Taiwan Job Scam Warning
In analyzing a case on the removal of content from a Taiwanese police department warning about job scams, the Board has overturned Meta's original decision to take down the content.
Summary
Multiple Case Decision
2026-017-FB-UA, 2026-018-FB-UA, 2026-019-FB-UA, 2026-020-IG-UA
Rhetorical Threats Against Authorities
Four users appealed Meta’s decision to remove their Facebook and Instagram posts containing rhetorical threats against authorities. After the Board brought the appeals to Meta’s attention, the company reversed its original decisions and restored all four posts.
POLICY ADVISORY OPINIONS
Meta can also ask the Board for guidance on specific issues through policy advisory opinions. These are integrated into the company’s policy development process.
Published
PAO-2023-01
Referring to Designated Dangerous Individuals as “Shaheed”
This policy advisory opinion analyzes Meta's approach to moderating the word “shaheed,” raising important questions about the impact of the Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy on freedom of expression.
Published
PAO-2022-01
Removal of COVID-19 misinformation
This policy advisory opinion examines whether Meta should continue to remove certain categories of COVID-19 misinformation, or whether a less restrictive approach would better align with its values and human rights responsibilities.
Published
PAO-2021-01
Sharing private residential information
In its policy advisory opinion, the Board recommends that Meta remove the exception to the Privacy Violations Community Standard that allows the sharing of private residential information when it is considered 'publicly available'.
