Facebook isn’t as well-known as Twitter for removing accounts. However, there are some bannable offenses that Facebook responds to with more than just a warning label.
Here, we explore Facebook’s terms and conditions and where the company draws the line, looking at historical examples of users that Facebook “de-platformed” for their behavior.
Facebook’s Stance on Permanent Bans
Unlike other social media sites, Facebook doesn’t list many offenses that result in a permanent ban. Instead, it cites repeat offenses rather than the severity of offenses as the primary factor. As a result, in theory, any Facebook violation repeated often enough could result in a profile block.
However, few activities result in a complete ban and Facebook is surprisingly lax with some recognized illegal activities. For example, selling “regulated goods” like guns and marijuana isn’t allowed on Facebook’s Marketplace, but Facebook doesn’t list it as a bannable offense.
Facebook prefers to flag or remove content on a post-by-post basis as opposed to taking down profiles. However, there are exceptions.
1. Misusing Tools and Data
Facebook’s Terms of Service lay out three forbidden offenses. The first is a collection of actions, which the rest of this article looks at in greater detail. The second and third are more specific and have to do with misusing Facebook’s tools and data.
This common term of service forbids accessing and using parts of the site that are supposed to be reserved for developers. It also forbids using public site tools in a way that is deliberately malicious, like using Facebook to spread viruses and malware.
2. Threats to Public Safety
One of the only cases in which Facebook says that it disables accounts is that of “genuine risk of physical harm or direct threats to public safety”. Facebook also removes profiles that “proclaim a violent mission or are engaged in violence”.
This was the rationale for indefinitely banning then-president Donald Trump after a riot at the US Capitol in January 2021.
3. Association With Violent Groups
Facebook took its stance on harmful and threatening content to the associative level in October of 2020 when it removed profiles associated with the QAnon conspiracy even if the individual profiles had no violent content. The conspiracy group has led to violent episodes since 2016.
Facebook also banned musical group Trapt for posts referencing the hate group the Proud Boys. The extremist political organization has been involved in street-level violence in the US and Canada since 2016.
The company also reserves the right to disable accounts if those accounts pose a legal risk to Facebook. Furthermore, Facebook is more adamant than other social media platforms about working with law enforcement and outreach organizations when encountering this kind of content.
4. Compromising the Security of Other Accounts
Another one of the rare bannable offenses Facebook lists is “compromising the security of other accounts and our services”. Compromising the security of Facebook’s services sounds a lot like the malware and misuse mentioned in the terms of service. However, the idea of compromising the security of other accounts points toward doxxing.
Doxxing is the release of a social media user’s sensitive real-world information, potentially including their home or work address, private phone number, or real-time physical location. This practice is often done with the intent to cause that person harm.
5. Misinformation
Facebook’s official guidelines say that Facebook does not remove misinformation, choosing instead to label it so that it can contribute to dialogues without misleading others. However, a number of suspended account holders say that their removal resulted from what Facebook calls “False News”.
There are a number of reasons that this happens. In some cases, Facebook determines that the false news is also harmful to personal or public health.
This was Facebook’s explanation for removing conspiracy theorist David Icke for claiming, among other things, that 5G internet causes Covid-19. Facebook also said that Icke had “repeatedly violated” policies.
Facebook Policies and Your Account
For the most part, Facebook doesn’t take issue with you as long as you don’t misuse the platform to cause harm to others. However, there are certain issues where the company draws a line in the sand.
If you don’t run afoul of these terms of service, you should stay safe from a permanent Facebook ban.