Facebook’s oversight board has upheld the suspension of former President of the United States Donald Trump. It was expected that the board would ask the company to reconsider the suspension and give Donald Trump his account back.
The board has given Facebook 6 months to determine another appropriate response in handling cases of world leaders who break its rules. The board said currently Facebook suspends world leaders without clear standards.
“Facebook left the indefinite suspension in place and referred the entire matter to the Oversight Board, apparently hoping the board would do what it had not done,” said Michael McConnell, co-chair of the Oversight Board.
Facebook indefinitely blocked Trump’s access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts over concerns of further violent unrest following the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of the former president.
“We will now consider the board’s decision and determine an action that is clear and proportionate,” Nick Clegg, Facebook vice president of global affairs and communication, published in a blog entry following the decision. “In the meantime, Mr. Trump’s accounts remain suspended.”