Facebook’s Oversight Board Upholds the Social Network’s Decision to Ban Former President Trump

Facebook’s Oversight Board has upheld the social network’s decision to ban former president Donald Trump, but also faulted the social network for making a decision without clear criteria.

For now, it dashed any hopes the former president had of returning to the social media site. Facebook banned Trump indefinitely following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, citing posts that it said encouraged violence, reports The Washington Post.

“In the binding ruling by the 20-member Oversight Board, which is largely independent and funded by the social network, it agreed that Trump’s comments on the day of the insurrection “created an environment where a serious risk of violence was possible.” The board pointed to the former president calling the mob members “patriots,” “special,” and telling them to “remember this day forever,” says The Post.

“However, the expert panel also took issue with Facebook’s “indefinite” suspension of Trump, calling it “vague and uncertain.” It sent the decision back to Facebook and said it had six months to clarify Trump’s punishment and come up with a response that fits its known rules. There is a possibility that decision could then come back to the board for review again, it said in press call,” adds The Post.

“More here.