House Commerce Dems Press Facebook Oversight Board to Seek More Influence

A trio of House Commerce Democratic leaders urged members of Facebook's oversight board Tuesday to exert pressure on the social media company to implement its policy recommendations, amid concerns the panel doesn't have enough power. Board members defended the body in May as politically neutral and free from undue company influence (see 2005180058). "We believe" the board "will be unable to address the damage Facebook is inflicting on society unless Facebook itself amends its content policies or empowers a truly independent Oversight Board to render binding decisions that cannot be overruled by Mark Zuckerberg or his subordinates," said House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone of New Jersey, Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky of Illinois in letters to the panel's 20 members. The board "is intended only to apply the content policies Facebook has adopted, and we worry Facebook’s business model disincentivizes the adoption of content policies that would promote a healthy online environment," the lawmakers said. "You have the duty to use your position on the Oversight Board to pressure Facebook to change policies that you believe are not working, and if Facebook refuses to address your concerns, to resign." Facebook didn't comment.