In a major blow to Donald Trump Facebook’s Oversight Board said Wednesday that the social network can keep blocking the former president from using its platform. The landmark move affirms the company’s decision to suspend Trump’s account in January after the US Capitol riots.
Trump was suspended “indefinitely” from Facebook and Instagram on Jan. 7, a day after his supporters stormed the Capitol in a bid to overturn the 2020 election results. Twitter and YouTube took similar steps, citing an ongoing risk of violence and incitement.
After the suspension, the social media giant referred that decision to the board, an independent body which has the power to reverse Facebook content decisions and set precedent for the company.
The Oversight Board’s decision also applies to Facebook-owned Instagram where Trump has an account. Trump has almost 60 million followers across Facebook (FB) and Instagram.
