Tech corporation Meta has deactivated the social media profiles belonging to former entertainer Russell Brand across its networks, including Facebook and Instagram.
The action follows Brand’s recent sentencing to 10-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The offences involved four women and took place between 2004 and 2009. The 51-year-old is expected to serve seven years behind bars prior to being released on licence. He was found guilty of the charges involving four women and relating to offences between 2004 and 2009.
While his Meta accounts were disabled, a message appeared on Wednesday evening on Brand’s X profile, which remains active. The post featured screenshots indicating his Instagram account was unavailable. “There was never a Russell Brand, according to @meta,” the post stated, adding, “Thank God for @elonmusk,” in reference to the owner of X, before concluding with “Stay tuned.” X has been contacted for comment.
Meta’s community standards rules specify that the platform limits or removes accounts considered “harmful to the community” to maintain safety and support free expression. Under these regulations, policies extend to accounts registered to convicted sex offenders.
This platform restriction follows previous measures taken against Brand’s digital presence. In 2023, YouTube suspended his video channels from earning advertising revenue under its creator responsibility policy following a media investigation detailing allegations regarding his behavior, which Brand has denied.
At the time of the ad monetization suspension, YouTube stated that it implemented the restrictions to protect its user base.
