Meta has pledged $13 million to fund its independent Oversight Board through 2028, the company confirmed. The commitment locks in financial support for the panel that reviews the company's most contentious content moderation decisions.
Long-term funding for an independent body
The Oversight Board, often called Meta's “Supreme Court” for content, was launched in 2020 with a $130 million initial trust. That trust was meant to cover the board’s first six years. The new $13 million pledge extends that runway, covering operational costs through the end of 2028. The board selects its own cases, issues binding rulings on whether specific posts should stay up or come down, and makes policy recommendations to Meta.
What the money covers
The funding goes toward salaries for board members and staff, case research, travel for hearings, and the technology needed to manage a global caseload. Meta does not control how the money is spent once it is in the trust. The board’s decisions cannot be overruled by the company, though Meta can choose not to implement policy recommendations.
Why the timing matters
The pledge comes as Meta faces renewed scrutiny over political content, hate speech, and misinformation ahead of the 2024 U.S. and European elections. The Oversight Board has issued rulings on everything from Holocaust denial to manipulated media, often drawing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. By guaranteeing funding through 2028, Meta ensures the board can operate through the next U.S. presidential election cycle and beyond.
A precedent for tech accountability
Other social media companies have created advisory councils, but Meta’s Oversight Board is the only one with binding authority over content takedowns. The board has handled high-profile cases involving former President Donald Trump, COVID-19 misinformation, and posts from war zones. Its decisions have forced Meta to clarify policies on political speech and newsworthy exceptions.
The $13 million figure represents a fraction of Meta’s annual revenue, which topped $116 billion in 2022. But the amount signals the company’s willingness to keep an independent check on its content decisions for years to come.
