On February 27, 2024, the Oversight Board overturned, through a summary decision, Meta’s original decision to remove a video from Facebook expressing support to the victims of floods in Libya caused by Storm Daniel and the collapse of two dams, which had been wrongfully flagged under the Dangerous Organizations and Individuals (DOI) policy. The user posted a video featuring several images of army personnel during rescue operations following Storm Daniel in September 2023. Meta deleted the post arguing that it breached its DOI policy. The user appealed the decision stressing that their post emphasized the unity of Libyan people during crises despite all conflicts. After being notified of the appeal by the Board, the company reversed its original decision and restored the post. The Board noted that this case underlined the over-enforcement of the Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy which hindered users’ ability to express solidarity.
*The Oversight Board is a separate entity from Meta and will provide its independent judgment on both individual cases and questions of policy. Both the Board and its administration are funded by an independent trust. The Board has the authority to decide whether Facebook and Instagram should allow or remove content. Decisions, except summary decisions, are binding, unless implementing them could violate the law. The Board can also choose to issue recommendations on the company’s content policies.