Social media platforms should not amplify ‘untrustworthy’ content: White House

 

US President Joe Biden believes social media platforms have a responsibility to “stop amplifying untrustworthy content;” the White House said on Wednesday, even as it declined to comment directly on a decision by Facebook Inc’s oversight board; to keep a suspension in place for former President Donald Trump.

“The president’s view is that the major platforms have a responsibility related to the health and safety of all Americans; to stop amplifying untrustworthy content, disinformation and misinformation, especially related to Covid-19; vaccinations and elections,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

Meanwhile,  Facebook Inc’s oversight board on Wednesday upheld the company’s suspension of former U.S. President Donald Trump; but said the company was wrong to make the suspension indefinite and gave it six months to determine a “proportionate response.”

Trump called the decision and his banning across tech platforms; “a total disgrace” and said the companies would “pay a political price.”

The much-awaited board verdict has been watched for signals on how the world’s largest social media platforms; will treat rule-breaking political leaders in the future, a key area of controversy for online platforms.

The board, created by Facebook to rule on a small slice of its content decisions; said the company was right to ban Trump following the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.

Facebook indefinitely blocked Trump’s access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts; over concerns of further violent unrest following the Jan. 6 riot.

It enacted the suspension after removing two of Trump’s posts during the Capitol riot; including a video in which he said supporters should go home but reiterated his false claim of widespread voter fraud; saying “I know your pain. I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us.”