Facebook Oversight Board confirms it plans to launch ahead of U.S. election
Facebook’s much-anticipated Oversight Board has confirmed that it is planning to launch ahead of the U.S. election on Nov. 3 after being criticized for a perceived lack of action. ... [A] spokesperson for the independent Oversight Board told CNBC that... “We are currently testing the newly deployed technical systems that will allow users to appeal and the Board to review cases. Assuming those tests go to plan, we expect to open user appeals in mid to late October.”
... “In terms of passing rulings around the time of the election, the Board will be prepared to consider cases on any matters that come before it and are in scope for us, and it’s premature to guess what the Board may or may not consider until we launch. Whether Facebook will send the Board expedited cases around this time is a question for Facebook.”
... The social media company has been under pressure to demonstrate that it is ready to deal with what stands to be one of the most polarizing U.S. elections in recent history, with experts concerned that some of the platform’s users may try to incite violence.
... At the time it said the board’s members are a globally diverse group with lawyers, journalists, human rights advocates and other academics. ... they are said to have expertise in areas such as digital rights, religious freedom, conflicts between rights, content moderation, internet censorship and civil rights. Notable members include... Andras Sajo, a former judge and VP of the European Court of Human Rights.