Meta Oversight Board Instagram Ban 2025: A Landmark Case for Public Figures

Mark Zuckerberg holds 60% of Meta’s voting power, but he doesn't always get the last word. Despite his autocratic control as CEO for life, there’s one entity that has gained enough soft power to keep him in check: the Meta Oversight Board. Often called Meta’s ‘Supreme Court,’ the board has seen 75% of its 300+ recommendations implemented by the company over its five-year history.

Setting Precedent with the Meta Oversight Board Instagram Ban

The Board recently announced it would take on a high-stakes case involving a widely followed Instagram account that was permanently banned in 2025. The account allegedly targeted a female journalist with visual threats and harassment, while also using slurs against politicians. This case is significant as it's the first time the board is reviewing a ban specifically focused on the targeting of public figures. By taking this on, the Board aims to establish a clear precedent for how Meta handles appeals for permanent account removals in the future.

Public Input Wanted: Shaping Online Safety

In a push for transparency, the Board is soliciting public feedback until February 3. They’re looking for perspectives on how to better protect public figures and journalists from repeated abuse and how to weigh 'off-platform' context when assessing threats. Having already processed 11,000 public comments since its inception, the Board is using this collective intelligence to refine Meta’s enforcement practices and ensure due process for users.