Board Upholds Ban on Trump Using Facebook After ‘Serious’ Violation

A BAN on Donald Trump from using Facebook has been upheld by the social network’s oversight board – though the group raised concerns about the indeterminate duration of the measure.

RELATED: Trump Ban: Here Is What Facebook’s Real Problem Is

Board Upholds Ban on Trump Using Facebook After ‘Serious’ Violation

The former US president was blocked from the platform indefinitely following violent clashes in the US Capitol on January 6, which Mr. Trump was blamed for inciting.

Videos shared across the 74-year-old’s social accounts called those who stormed the Capitol “patriots” and said: “We love you.”

Five people died in the Capitol riots.

The board concluded that two posts by Mr. Trump “severely violated” Facebook’s Community Standard but said it was “not appropriate” for the social network to impose “the indeterminate and standardless penalty of indefinite suspension”.

“Given the seriousness of the violations and the ongoing risk of violence, Facebook was justified in suspending Mr. Trump’s accounts on January 6 and extending that suspension on January 7,” the board said.

“However, it was not appropriate for Facebook to impose an ‘indefinite suspension. It is not permissible for Facebook to keep a user off the platform for an undefined period, with no criteria for when or whether the account will be restored.”

Sir Nick Clegg, Facebook’s vice-president of global affairs and communications, said the firm was “pleased” the board recognized the “unprecedented circumstances”.

“While the board has not required Facebook to immediately restore Mr. Trump’s accounts, it has not specified the appropriate duration of the penalty,” he said.

“We will now consider the board’s decision and determine an action that is clear and proportionate.

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

Facebook set up the panel last year, often likened to a supreme court, made up of independent experts from various backgrounds, who are granted the power to overrule the tech giant’s actions on thorny content moderation issues – even that of chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.

People can submit an appeal to the panel if they think the content was wrongly removed.

CREDIT: By Jamie Harris, PA Science Technology Reporter

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Article Source: News Edge