Facebook’s oversight board: Watchdog or distraction?


Critics say the focus on the oversight-board process gives Facebook exactly what it wants: to pull focus away from deeper problems such as its massive power, its shadowy algorithms that can amplify hate and misinformation, and more serious and complicated questions about government regulation. — AP

Facebook’s oversight board, which on May 4 upheld the company’s ban of former US President Donald Trump, also had some harsh words for its corporate sponsor: Facebook. “In applying a vague, standardless penalty and then referring this case to the Board to resolve, Facebook seeks to avoid its responsibilities,” the board wrote in its decision.

But critics aren’t convinced that the board’s decision represents a triumph of accountability. Many, in fact, see its narrow focus on one-off content issues as a distraction from deeper problems such as Facebook’s massive power, its shadowy algorithms that can amplify hate and misinformation, and more serious and complicated questions about government regulation.

Subscribe now and receive FREE sooka plan for 1 month.
T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space
This humanoid robot can now operate with full autonomy
Scientists use AI to help track penguins in Antarctica
Windows 10 users will soon have to pay to keep getting security updates
Musk and X are epicenter of US election misinformation, experts say
OpenAI in talks with California to become for-profit company, Bloomberg News reports
Meta to extend ban on new political ads after U.S. election
Crypto firms including Robinhood, Kraken launch global stablecoin network
Chipmaker NXP forecasts quarterly revenue below estimates on macroeconomic concerns
Exclusive-Silver Lake, Bain prepare to bid for multi-billion stake in Intel's Altera unit, sources say

Others Also Read