Meta removes Russell Brand’s Instagram after conviction

Meta has disabled Russell Brand’s Instagram account following his conviction for rape and sexual assault, citing its policy covering harmful conduct outside its platforms.

A Meta spokesperson confirmed the removal to TMZ, saying the account “violates our policies.”

The decision follows Brand’s sentencing to 10 years and six months in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

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Meta cites account integrity rules

According to TMZ, Meta removed the account under its Account Integrity policy, which allows it to restrict or disable accounts that “engage in off-platform activity that can lead to harm.”

The policy includes accounts belonging to convicted sex offenders, extending enforcement beyond material posted on Instagram.

A notice from Meta advising that the Instagram account had been disabled for breaching its Community Standards was posted on Brand’s X account, which remains active.

It is unclear who published the notice on his behalf.

Removal follows prison sentence

Brand was sentenced at London’s Southwark Crown Court on 9 November, four days after a jury convicted him of offences against four women between 2004 and 2009.

The former BBC Radio 2 presenter must serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody before becoming eligible for release on licence. He will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.