Meta’s decision to yank two videos on Israel-Hamas war overturned by firm’s Oversight Board

Meta’s Oversight Board overturned the social media company’s decision to yank two videos from the Israel-Hamas war off its platforms.

One of the videos in question was “posted to Facebook of an Israeli woman begging her kidnappers not to kill her as she is taken hostage during the terrorist raids on Israel on Oct. 7.”

“The other case involves a video posted to Instagram showing what appears to be the aftermath of a strike on or near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City during Israel’s ground offensive in the north of the Gaza Strip,” the Oversight Board said.

The quasi-independent 22-person board that oversees Meta-owned sites Facebook and Instagram ruled the posts informed the world “about human suffering on both sides,” the company announced on Monday.

Although “the post shows Palestinians, including children, killed or injured,” the board said that Meta needs to maintain “freedom of expression and access to information.”

In both cases, the board “approved the company’s subsequent decision to restore the posts with a warning screen,” it said, marking the end of the entity’s first “expedited review.”

In an expedited review, the Oversight Board must deliver a decision in 30 days rather than the typical 90.

In this case, board members only took 12 days to come to a conclusion about the two videos in question, highlighting just how quickly social media companies must act regarding their handling of content related to the conflict.

“The Board focused on protecting the right to the freedom of expression of people on all sides about these horrific events, while ensuring that none of the testimonies incited violence or hatred,” Oversight Board co-chair Michael McConnel said.

“These testimonies are important not just for the speakers, but for users around the world who are seeking timely and diverse information about ground-breaking events.”

Meta addressed the case decision in a blog post on Tuesday, where it confirmed that the two posts have been reinstated “so no further action will be taken.”

“We welcome the Oversight Board’s decision today on this case,” Meta said, adding: “Both expression and safety are important to us and the people who use our services.”

The move comes as social media platforms come under increased scrutiny over their moderation policy.

The European Union recently launched a probe of Elon Musk-owned X to determine whether the site formerly known as Twitter is complying with rules that require social media platforms to counter illegal content and disinformation.

The European Commission said its proceedings will “assess whether X may have breached the DSA” — the Digital Services Act, which went into force for platforms with more than 45 million EU-based users in August.

It’s the first probe of its kind under the new law, which comes after the site submitted a risk assessment report in September, released a transparency report a month later, and replied to a request for information that “concerned the dissemination of illegal content in the context of Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel,” according to a press release.

The commission specifically noted Musk’s social media platform may not be taking effective measures “to combat information manipulation on the platform.”