Do you think Facebook’s new Oversight Board will better protect people from online harassment, hate speech and violations of privacy?

What is it?

• On May 6, Facebook committed itself to greater transparency and accountability by launching a new independent oversight board. This group of 20 individuals will review the company’s decisions about what content to take down or leave up on its various social media platforms.
• The group will start by examining Facebook and Instagram posts related to nudity, violence and hate speech but will eventually expand its mandate to ads, groups, pages, profiles and events.
• The board is composed of a diverse group of prominent human rights activists, thought leaders, academics, and civil servants including Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Tawakkol Karman and former Prime Minister of Denmark, Helle Thorning-Schmidt. Eventually, the group plans to expand to 40 members.

Why is it important?

• The creation of the oversight board signifies an important move by Facebook to respond to complaints about restrictive content moderation, ideological bias, and privacy issues.
• Most importantly, this group has the power to override Mark Zuckerberg and other Facebook executives on issues related to content moderation – a new step for the social media company.
• In function, users will have 15 days to submit moderated content to the board for review. Each case will be reviewed by a 5-member committee whose final decision will be finalized by the entire board. Subsequently, Facebook and users will have a 90-day period to implement the board’s decision.

What can you do?

• Read Business for Social Responsibility’s Human Rights Review on Facebook’s Oversight Board.
• Check out Wired Magazine’s Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy and make sure your personal data is secure