As its community grew to more than 2 billion people, it became increasingly clear to Meta that it shouldn’t be making so many decisions about speech and online safety on its own. The Oversight Board was created to help Meta answer some of the most difficult questions around freedom of expression online: what to take down, what to leave up, and why.
The board uses its independent judgment to support people’s right to free expression and ensure those rights are being adequately respected. The board’s decisions to uphold or reverse Facebook and Instagram content decisions will be binding, meaning Meta will have to implement them, unless doing so could violate the law.
THE BOARD
The purpose of the board
The purpose of the board is to promote free expression by making principled, independent decisions regarding content on Facebook and Instagram and by issuing recommendations on the relevant Meta content policy.
When fully staffed, the board will consist of 40 members from around the world that represent a diverse set of disciplines and backgrounds. These members will be empowered to select content cases for review and to uphold or reverse Facebook and Instagram content decisions.
The board is not designed to be a simple extension of Meta’s existing content review process. Rather, it will review a select number of highly emblematic cases and determine if decisions were made in accordance with Meta’s stated values and policies.
THE BOARD
The purpose of the board
The purpose of the board is to promote free expression by making principled, independent decisions regarding content on Facebook and Instagram and by issuing recommendations on the relevant Meta company content policy.
When fully staffed, the board will consist of 40 members from around the world that represent a diverse set of disciplines and backgrounds. These members will be empowered to select content cases for review and to uphold or reverse Meta’s content decisions.
The board is not designed to be a simple extension of Meta’s existing content review process. Rather, it will review a select number of highly emblematic cases and determine if decisions were made in accordance with Meta’s stated values and policies.
PRINCIPLES
Independence
The board’s independent judgment is critical to its function. Board members are being carefully chosen for the diversity of their expertise and the quality of their judgment. To further ensure the independence of its decision making, both the board and its administration are funded by an independent trust and supported by an independent company that is separate from Meta. The board’s structure, responsibilities, purpose and relationship to Meta are outlined in the Oversight Board Charter.
Independent
The board is a separate entity from Meta and will provide its independent judgment on both individual cases and questions of policy. Both the board and its administration are funded by an independent trust.
Accessible
Individuals will be able to appeal Facebook and Instagram content decisions to the board. Anyone whose content is selected for review by the board will have the opportunity to share a statement explaining their position.
Empowered
The board has the authority to decide whether Facebook and Instagram should allow or remove content. These decisions are binding, unless implementing them could violate the law. The board can also choose to issue recommendations on the company’s content policies.
Transparent
The board is committed to publicly sharing written statements about its decisions and rationale. Each decision will be published and archived on the board’s website. Additionally, the board will release annual reports about its work.
Independent
The board is a separate entity from Meta and will provide its independent judgment on both individual cases and questions of policy. Both the board and its administration are funded by an independent trust.
Empowered
The board has the authority to decide whether Facebook and Instagram should allow or remove content. These decisions are binding, unless implementing them could violate the law. The board can also choose to issue recommendations on the company’s content policies.
Accessible
Individuals will be able to appeal Facebook and Instagram content decisions to the board. Anyone whose content is selected for review by the board will have the opportunity to share a statement explaining their position.
Transparent
The board is committed to publicly sharing written statements about its decisions and rationale. Each decision will be published and archived on the board’s website. Additionally, the board will release annual reports about its work.
Independent
The board is a separate entity from Meta and will provide its independent judgment on both individual cases and questions of policy. Both the board and its administration are funded by an independent trust.
Empowered
The board has the authority to decide whether Facebook and Instagram should allow or remove content. These decisions are binding, unless implementing them could violate the law. The board can also choose to issue recommendations on the company’s content policies.
Accessible
Individuals will be able to appeal Facebook and Instagram content decisions to the board. Anyone whose content is selected for review by the board will have the opportunity to share a statement explaining their position.
Transparent
The board is committed to publicly sharing written statements about its decisions and rationale. Each decision will be published and archived on the board’s website. Additionally, the board will release annual reports about its work.
PROCESS
Shaping the board
Meta has consulted with experts throughout the process of developing the Oversight Board. In its June 2019 report, which summarized the first stage of this consultation, Meta outlined the feedback it had received from six in-depth workshops and 22 roundtables, attended by more than 650 people from 88 different countries. Throughout that period, Meta also had personal discussions with more than 250 people and collected over 1,200 written submissions on the design of the board. Since the June report, Meta has continued to consult with experts on topics such as the board’s trust, bylaws and membership.
PROGRESS
Shaping the board
November
2018
November 2018
Establishing the concept of the board
Meta first shared a concept for a body whose independent judgment could help the company make its toughest content decisions.
January
2019
January 2019
Release of draft charter
Meta published a draft charter that outlined the board’s proposed purpose and functions and began to engage experts on its plans.
April
2019
April 2019
Call for public proposals
Meta solicited public proposals on board structure and design.
June
2019
June 2019
Release of global feedback and input report
As part of its global consultation process, Meta solicited feedback from experts and the public at large and held discussions focused on establishing the final charter. It synthesized key lessons from this first round of global consultations and issued a public report on its findings.
Countries
Roundtables
People attended
In-depth workshops
One-on-one discussions
Public submissions
September
2019
September 2019
Publication of the final charter
Having been revised based on feedback received, the final charter formalized the responsibilities and governance structure of the Oversight Board.
READ THE CHARTEROctober
2019
October 2019
Oversight Board Trust formed
The Oversight Board Trust and supporting independent company were formed, establishing the institution to provide broad oversight and management of the Oversight Board.
Throughout
2020
Throughout 2020
Board begins operations
Board members were announced in 2020, setting the board up to discuss and formalize desired operating procedures and hear the first case.
PROCESS
The appeals process
01
The appeal
An appeal is submitted to the board.
02
The selection
The Oversight Board determines which cases will be heard.
03
The panel
The board assigns a panel to review each case.
04
The deliberation
The assigned panel comes to a decision.
05
The decision
The board shares the final decision and any policy recommendations.
06
The result
Meta publicly responds to the board and implements its decision, unless doing so could violate the law.