Facebook board upholds decision to ban Trump

The oversight board of Facebook has upheld its decision to ban Donald Trump, former president of the United States.

The decision was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday.

The board, which presides over the company’s content decisions, however, said an indefinite suspension was not appropriate and violated Facebook’s own rules.

While calling for a review of the social media platform’s policy on a defined penalty, the board gave Facebook six months to make its final decision on the status of Trump’s account.

“The Board has upheld Facebook’s decision on January 7 to suspend then-President Trump from Facebook and Instagram. Trump’s posts during the Capitol riot severely violated Facebook’s rules and encouraged and legitimized violence,” it said.

“The Board also found Facebook violated its own rules by imposing a suspension that was ‘indefinite.’ This penalty is not described in Facebook’s content policies. It has no clear criteria and gives Facebook total discretion on when to impose or lift it.

“Within 6 months of today, Facebook must review this matter and decide a new penalty that reflects its rules, the severity of the violation, and prospect of future harm. Facebook can either impose a time-limited suspension or account deletion.”

The Board has upheld Facebook’s decision on January 7 to suspend then-President Trump from Facebook and Instagram. Trump’s posts during the Capitol riot severely violated Facebook’s rules and encouraged and legitimized violence. https://t.co/veRvWpeyCi

— Oversight Board (@OversightBoard) May 5, 2021

Facebook and Instagram, on January 7, had banned Trump from their platforms as it said the risk of allowing him to use the outlets to “provoke further violence” is too great “during this time of transfer of power in America”.

Trump had used his social media platforms to mobilise his supporters against the outcome of the presidential election.

His posts were linked to the riot at Capitol Hill during the January 6 joint session on the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the November 2020 election.

At least four people were killed during a face-off between protesters and security operatives during the invasion of Capitol Hill.

Although a final decision has not been made, the board’s decision blocks any possibility of an immediate return of the former president to the social media network.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Nick Clegg, Facebook’s VP of global affairs and communications, said the social media network will consider the board’s decision and determine a policy position regarding indefinite ban as requested by the board.

“In the meantime, Mr. Trump’s accounts remain suspended,” Clegg added.

We thank the @OversightBoard for the care and attention they gave this case. We will now consider the board’s guidance and develop a response that is clear and proportionate. In the meantime, Mr. Trump’s accounts remain suspended. https://t.co/aR6E0rMlyv https://t.co/uYC9yCzQu5

— Nick Clegg (@nickclegg) May 5, 2021

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