Facebook’s Oversight Board, an independent panel selected to weigh in on content moderation decisions at the social media platform, announced Wednesday it will uphold Facebook’s Jan. 7 ban on former President Donald Trump.
But the company-appointed board also said it was “not appropriate for Facebook to impose the indeterminate and standardless penalty of indefinite suspension,” asking the site to review the decision within six months. The board said Facebook “did not follow a clear, published procedure” in imposing a ban “for an undefined period, with no criteria for when or whether the account will be restored.”
“Within 6 months of today, Facebook must review this matter and decide a new penalty that reflects its rules, the severity of the violation, and prospect of future harm,” the board said. “Facebook can either impose a time-limited suspension or account deletion.”
Facebook will “consider the board’s decision and determine an action that is clear and proportionate,” responded Nick Clegg, the company’s vice president of global affairs and communications.
“In the meantime, Mr. Trump’s accounts remain suspended,” Clegg said in a statement.