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Oversight Board Upholds Former U.S. President Donald Trump's Suspension from Facebook and Instagram; Finds Facebook Failed to Impose Proper PenaltyWASHINGTON, May 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oversight Board upheld Facebook's decision on January 7 to suspend then-President Trump from Facebook and Instagram. The Board found that Mr. Trump's posts severely violated Facebook's rules, and his words of support for those involved in the attack on the U.S. Capitol building legitimized violence in a situation where there was an immediate risk to people's lives. "President Trump's actions on social media encouraged and legitimized violence and were a severe violation of Facebook's rules," said Thomas Hughes, Director of the Oversight Board Administration. "By maintaining an unfounded narrative of electoral fraud and persistent calls to action, Mr. Trump created an environment where a serious risk of violence was possible. Facebook's decision to suspend the President on January 7 was the right one." While the Board concluded that Mr. Trump should have been suspended from Facebook and Instagram, it also found that Facebook failed to impose a proper penalty. Instead of applying one of its established account-level penalties for severe violations, Facebook devised an 'indefinite' suspension which is not included in their content policies. This arbitrary penalty gave Facebook total discretion over whether to lift or maintain the suspension, with no criteria that can be scrutinized by users or externa observers. "The Board rejects Facebook's request for it to endorse indefinite suspension, which gives the company total discretion over when to lift or impose and isn't supported by their content policies," said Thomas Hughes. "Anyone concerned about the power of Facebook should be concerned with the company making decisions outside of its own rules." Within six months of the Board's decision, Facebook must reexamine this arbitrary penalty and impose one consistent with its own rules. This penalty must be based on the gravity of Mr. Trump's violation and the prospect of future harm. This time period allows Facebook to implement the Board's extensive policy recommendations. These recommendations include:
For more details on this decision and to learn more about the Board, visit https://oversightboard.com. About the Oversight Board View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oversight-board-upholds-former-us-president-donald-trumps-suspension-from-facebook-and-instagram-finds-facebook-failed-to-impose-proper-penalty-301283908.html SOURCE Oversight Board |