Meta’s call to remove 2 videos of Israel-Hamas war is reversed by Oversight Board

A quasi-independent review board is recommending that Facebook parent company Meta overturn two decisions it made this fall to remove posts “informing the world about human suffering on both sides” of the Israel-Hamas war.

In both cases, Meta ended up reinstating the posts — one showing Palestinian casualties in an apparent strike on the al-Shifa hospital and the other, an Israeli hostage pleading for her life — on its own, although it added warning screens to both due to violent content. This means the company isn’t obligated to do anything about the board’s decision.

That said, the board also said it disagrees with Meta’s decision to bar the posts in question from being recommended by Facebook and Instagram, “even in cases where it had determined posts intended to raise awareness.” And it said Meta’s use of automated tools to remove “potentially harmful” content increased the likelihood of taking down “valuable posts” that not only raise awareness about the conflict but may contain evidence of human rights violations. It urged the company to preserve such content.

The Oversight Board, established three years ago by Meta, issued its decisions today in what it said was its first expedited ruling — taking 12 days rather than the usual 90.