Meta has removed the Instagram and Facebook accounts of disgraced British comedian and actor Russell Brand following his conviction and sentencing for rape and sexual assault.
The 51-year-old former entertainer was sentenced earlier this week to 10-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009.
Confirming the removal, a Meta spokesperson stated that Brand’s profiles were taken down for violating company policies—specifically under its Account Integrity policy, which allows the tech giant to restrict accounts belonging to convicted sex offenders over harmful conduct outside its platforms.
In response, a message posted on Brand’s still-active X account criticized Meta while praising platform owner Elon Musk: “There never was a Russell Brand, according to @Meta. Thank God for @elonmusk. Stay tuned.”
While it remains unclear who posted the update on his behalf, the message marks the first public activity on Brand’s account since he was jailed.
