The Facebook Oversight Board, known as the company's “supreme court,” has released a report on its five years of work. The group says there is a clearer process, a higher respect for human rights, but there are some frustrations with their limited powers.
The board was launched after public trust collapsed due to issues such as Cambridge Analytica and the spread of misinformation in key votes such as Brexit and US election 2016. It began operations in 2020 with experts from academia, media, and civil society.
The board reviews complaints about content moderation, and issues binding decisions on whether to remove or keep a post. But their broad policy recommendations are not binding on Meta, much to their ongoing frustrations.
There are also critics who say that moderation on Facebook and Instagram has worsened, and that there is fewer action against harmful content. EDRi said that oversight must be broader and faster if it is to affect “systemic changes.”
Looking ahead, the board said it will focus on the proper use of AI tools, following an increase in cases of self-harm related to interacting with AI. The board believes a global and user-rights-based approach is needed to address the new risks posed by AI....
