Meta's Oversight Board is preparing for possible staff reductions

Meta's Oversight Board is preparing for possible staff reductions
29 Apr 2024

Meta's Oversight Board, often referred to as the company's "supreme court," is reportedly preparing for staff cuts, according to The Washington Post.

The board, which works independently from Meta, has alerted some employees about potential job losses.

These reductions are expected to impact staff members, who assist the 22 experts responsible for content moderation decisions on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Oversight Board's history and funding details
Background

The Oversight Board was launched by Mark Zuckerberg in late 2018, and began operations in October 2020.

Initially, Meta funded the board with a $130 million grant, followed by an additional $120 million in 2022.

The board comprises academics and lawyers who make content moderation decisions for Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Board chair confirms cuts
Confirmation

Stephen Neal, the Chairperson of the Oversight Board Trust, confirmed these "targeted cuts" in a statement to Business Insider.

He explained that these reductions would allow the board "to further optimize our operations by prioritizing the most impactful aspects of our work."

Neal also expressed optimism about Meta's continued support and future funding for the board's mission.

Meta reiterates commitment to Oversight Board
Relationship

A spokesperson from Meta reiterated the company's commitment to the Oversight Board, stating that it "remains committed to the Oversight Board, which operates independently from the company, and continues to strongly support its work."

The company also expressed gratitude for the board's perspective and plans to refine policies and practices based on their feedback.

Despite these assurances, concerns remain about how staff reductions could impact Meta's ability to curb misinformation.

Meta's response to misinformation concerns
Answer

The staff reductions come at a critical time when concerns about misinformation are escalating, especially with the upcoming US election.

Regulators have expressed worries that Meta's moderation, does not adequately target political advertising that could undermine electoral processes.

In response to the rise of AI-generated content and deepfakes, Meta has announced plans to expand its "Made with AI" label to a wider range of content following an Oversight Board recommendation.