+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Facebook passes decision on whether to permanently ban Trump over to newly created oversight board

Jan 22, 2021, 00:48 IST
Business Insider
Facebook.Jeff Chiu/AP
  • Facebook's oversight board will review the suspension of Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts.
  • The oversight board serves as Facebook's "Supreme Court" by handling its complex content decisions.
  • The board has 90 days to make its decision.
Advertisement

Facebook's independent oversight board will review the company's decision to permanently suspend former US President Donald Trump's Instagram and Facebook accounts, the company announced Thursday.

A sweeping ban of Trump's social media accounts took place shortly after the deadly Capitol insurrection on January 6. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's CEO, announced on January 7 that the Trump Facebook account freeze would be "indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete."

Now, two weeks later, Facebook is referring to its independent oversight board to determine if Trump's accounts should be permanently suspended. The board will also be deciding if Facebook's actions have violated "international human rights standards," according to the oversight board's news release.

Facebook has historically taken action against the former president's posts, but this is the first time the oversight board will be reviewing a Trump case.

The board has up to 90 days to make its decision, and its final call cannot be overturned by any Facebook employees, including Zuckerberg. If the board decides to reinstate Trump's accounts, Facebook will have seven days to do so.

Advertisement

The independent board was first established in October 2020 to serve as the social media company's "Supreme Court" for more complex content decisions. The nascent oversight board of 20 members - which consists of academics, former politicians, and activists from around the world - has already reviewed several cases.

However, some experts are wary of the board as it allows Facebook to "outsource" controversial decisions while still maintaining power over its own policies.

Read more: Facebook's much-hyped 'Supreme Court' that can overrule even CEO Mark Zuckerberg finally launched, but says it won't judge election content

Trump will not be allowed to access his Instagram or Facebook accounts as the board makes its decision. However, during this time, Trump's page administrators can submit a statement in his favor, according to the oversight board's news release. The board will also be taking public comments.

Nick Clegg, Facebook's vice president of global affairs and communications, said in a news release that Facebook hopes the oversight board will sustain its original decision to ban Trump. Facebook is also asking the independent board to provide any recommendations on how to tackle political leader account freezes.

Advertisement

"We believe our decision was necessary and right," Clegg said in the news release. "Given its significance, we think it is important for the board to review it and reach an independent judgment on whether it should be upheld."

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article