Meta Modifies Sexual Content Policy Based On Oversight Board Recommendation

Following a recommendation from the Oversight Board (OB) based on a 2022 video depicting the sexual assault of a tribal woman in India, Meta has announced updates to its policy governing the posting of content related to sexual exploitation across its platforms.

What Does The New Policy Say?

The revised Adult Sexual Exploitation policy now permits sharing of content involving non-consensual sexual touching if posted by the victim or a third party with the aim of raising awareness. Such content will include a warning screen to inform users of its potentially disturbing nature.

“We may restrict visibility to people over the age of 18 and include a warning label on certain content depicting non-consensual sexual touching, when it is shared to raise awareness and without entertainment or sensational context, where the victim or survivor is not identifiable and where the content does not involve nudity,” Meta said.

Recommendation Of The Oversight Board

Last year, the Oversight Board reviewed a case referred by Meta involving a video that depicted an Indian woman being harassed by a group of men. The accompanying text on the Instagram post stated that a “tribal woman” was sexually assaulted and harassed publicly. The account that posted the video aims to share “stories from a Dalit’s desk.”

Originally, Meta removed the content for violating its Adult Sexual Exploitation policy. However, upon further review, Meta reinstated the post for users above 18, adding a warning screen.

“Meta usually removes content “that depicts, threatens or promotes sexual violence, sexual assault or sexual exploitation.” However, this case demonstrates the challenge in striking the appropriate balance between allowing content that condemns sexual exploitation and the harm in allowing visual depictions of sexual harassment to remain on our platforms,” Meta said while referring the case to the Oversight Board.

The Oversight Board recommended that Meta should include an exception in its ‘Adult sexual Exploitation Community Standard’ for depictions of non-consensual sexual touching when the content is shared to raise awareness, the victim is not identifiable, and the content does not involve nudity. “This exception should be applied at escalation only,” the Board added.

In its Q2 2023 Quarterly Update on the Oversight Board, Meta said that it has implemented the recommendation.

The Oversight Board is an independent body to which users can appeal if they disagree with Meta’s decisions on Facebook or Instagram. Established in late 2020, the Board recently announced that it would review more types of content moderation cases and expedite some decisions as it aims to expand its work.