Meta has disabled Russell Brand’s Instagram and Facebook accounts, days after he was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the removal to TMZ, saying the accounts “violate our policies.”
Meta removed the accounts under its Account Integrity policy, which lets the company restrict accounts linked to off-platform conduct that can lead to harm. The policy covers accounts belonging to convicted sex offenders. Brand’s Instagram had more than six million followers, and his Facebook page had over five million.
Screenshots of the removal notices appeared on Brand’s X account on Wednesday. The post read: “There never was a Russell Brand, according to @Meta. Thank God for @elonmusk. Stay tuned.” It is not clear who posted it. Brand is in prison, and his X account, with more than 10 million followers, remains active.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court convicted Brand on 5 November of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women, for offences between 2004 and 2009. He was sentenced on 9 November and is being held at HMP Wandsworth in London.
Source: TheWrap
