Facebook board retains Donald Trump’s Facebook ban until further review
Facebook Inc’s oversight board on Wednesday confirmed the social media company’s suspension of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The board has given the company the time of six months to come up with a “proportionate response” moving ahead. The judgment may show how social media will treat rule-breaking world leaders in the coming time.
The social networking site unseemingly enforced an indefinite suspension without clear specifications, the oversight board reported, requiring a company review.
The Board suggested that the company should identify a response that is consistent with the rules implemented on other users of the platform.
During a press conference after publishing its final decision on Wednesday, Former Federal Judge Michael McConnell, co-chair of the Oversight Board, “Facebook left the indefinite suspension in place and referred the entire matter to the Oversight Board, apparently hoping the board would do what it had not done.”
“Indefinite penalties of this sort, do not pass the international or American smell test for clarity, consistency, and transparency,” stated McConnell
Facebook indefinitely blocked Trump’s access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts over apprehensions of further violent unrest after the Jan 6 attack of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of the former president.
Facebook vice president of global affairs and communication Nick Clegg stated in a blog after the board’s decision, “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.”
