Facebook Faces Internal Criticism: "Content Policies Not Properly Disclosed"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Facebook, the world's largest social media (SNS) platform, which has been facing difficulties due to whistleblower revelations, has also been criticized by its own Oversight Board for not fully disclosing the truth.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 21st (local time), the Facebook Oversight Board's report released that day pointed out that Facebook repeatedly failed to submit information or provided incomplete information about how it exempts many celebrities' posts from content regulations.

According to earlier whistleblower disclosures, Facebook secretly operated a program called "Cross Check."

Accounts of millions of celebrities, including entertainers, sports stars, politicians, and journalists, were classified as a "whitelist" and managed under different standards from ordinary users.

Even if they posted content violating regulations, the content was not immediately deleted or was entirely exempt from content rules.

The Oversight Board revealed that when Facebook referred the decision to permanently suspend former President Donald Trump's account to the board for a ruling this spring, it did not mention the existence of the Cross Check program.

Although the Oversight Board inquired about the existence of such a program, Facebook only disclosed limited and insufficient information.

The Oversight Board criticized, "It is unacceptable that Facebook gave such vague and sloppy answers in response to calls for greater transparency."

The Oversight Board plans to review documents related to the Cross Check practice received from Facebook, hold public hearings with civic groups, and discuss improvement measures.

They are also preparing recommendations.

The Oversight Board was established as a kind of "SNS Supreme Court" proposed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg after it was revealed that Facebook neglected Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The board reviews Facebook's content removal decisions and can independently overturn unfair decisions or establish content monitoring guidelines. The Oversight Board consists of 20 external experts, including professors, lawyers, and activists in fields such as human rights and freedom of expression.