Washington (AFP)
Facebook confirmed Thursday that it would set up in October, just before the US presidential election, a supervisory board responsible for deciding what content to remove or keep on the platform.
The announcement of the launch of this body comes amid growing concern over attempts to misinform or manipulate the November 3 election via social networks.
"We are currently testing freshly commissioned technical systems, which will allow users to appeal and the board to investigate cases," a spokesperson for the board told AFP.
“Assuming these tests go as planned, we hope to open the appeals for users between mid and late October. Establishing a rigorous, principled, and globally effective process takes time and our members are working hard. foot to throw as soon as possible, "he added.
The idea of a panel of experts had been put forward in 2018 by the founder-founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, who had qualified it as a "supreme court" capable of rejecting decisions taken by the company.
The first 20 panel members were appointed this year.
They include lawyers, human rights activists, journalists, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a former Danish Prime Minister.
The board should have a total of 40 people.
Facebook has said it is working on software to allow panel members to study cases anywhere in the world.
“We look forward to the board starting to hear cases between mid and late October,” a company spokesperson said.
Facebook said last week it had back-up plans in the event of social unrest after the US election in November.
Nick Clegg, former British Deputy Prime Minister and currently responsible for international affairs at Facebook, said the platform could take exceptional measures to "restrict the flow of content" in the event of a stir.
© 2020 AFP