Meta’s newly launched Threads app will now fall under the watchful eye of the Oversight Board. This independent group reviews Meta’s content decisions across its platforms. So Threads users can appeal if their posts get taken down.
The Oversight Board was created in 2020 to provide some accountability around Meta’s moderation calls. The board is funded by Meta but runs independently, made up of academics, rights experts, and lawyers worldwide.
Previously they only handled appeals for removed Facebook and Instagram content. But now their jurisdiction expands to little ol’ Threads too, used by 130 million folks.
Same rules apply – the board examines cases against Instagram’s community guidelines which also cover Threads. Then they decide whether Meta messed up by deleting something or should have taken down a sketchy post.
And their rulings have teeth. Meta has to abide by the Oversight Board’s decisions for the next year on Threads, implementing any policy changes they recommend.
Of course Meta itself can still refer any Threads cases to the board for review as well. But opening it up so regular users can appeal gives the app way more transparency and accountability.
The board believes this will make Threads better respect freedom of speech and other human rights when moderating content. Rather than Meta just secretly suppressing stuff it doesn’t like.
So if your cool/weird/kinky selfies get removed from Threads, you may now plead your case to the prestigious Oversight Board! And possibly get your pics reinstated if the learned council of academics decides Meta done you dirty.
