Meta’s Oversight Board: A Review and Critical Assessment

Abstract Since the announcement and establishment of Oversight Board (OB) by technology company Meta as an independent institution reviewing Facebook Instagram’s content moderation decisions, OB has been subjected to scholarly scrutiny ranging from praise criticism. However, there is currently no overarching framework for understanding OB’s various strengths weaknesses. Consequently, this article analyses, organises, supplements academic literature, news articles, documents understand weaknesses how it can be improved. Significant include its ability enhance transparency decisions processes, effect reform indirectly through policy recommendations, assertiveness in interpreting jurisdiction overruling Meta. limited jurisdiction, impact, Meta’s control over precedent, lack diversity. The analysis a recent case Ethiopia shows these practice. relationship with governments will lead challenges opportunities shaping future development. Reforms should improve apply precedent disputed cases, clarify standards invoking precedent. Finally, reforms provide foundation additional improvement address institutional weaknesses, involving users determining whether applied decide current disputes.