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
Overturned
2023-039-FB-UA
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces Video Captive
The Oversight Board has overturned Meta’s original decision to leave up a video that shows armed men in Sudan, from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), detaining someone in the back of a military vehicle.
Standard
Upheld
2023-038-FB-MR
Reporting on Pakistani Parliament Speech
The Oversight Board has upheld Meta’s decision to leave up a post shared by a news outlet in Pakistan that includes a video of a politician giving a speech to the country’s parliament. The Board considers that safeguarding such figurative speech, in the run-up to elections, is fundamental.
Summary
Overturned
2024-020-FB-UA
Political Korean Poem
A user appealed Meta’s decision to remove an image on Facebook of a Korean poem called “The Scream of General Hong Beom-Do” written by Lee Dong Soon. After the Board brought the appeal to Meta’s attention, the company reversed its original decision and restored the post.
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.
