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.