Simona Sikimic-French

Acting head of engagement for Meta's @oversightboard working on human rights & tech. Formerly a journalist, aid org media bod & lover of travel. Views my own.

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

The wonderful @nighatdad tells #LTW how growing misogynistic abuse is forcing too many women offline and silencing gender and minority activists. “We talk about resilience but we have to start talking about digital resilience too” @sonyabarlowuk

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

London Tech Week getting off to a hot start! PM @RishiSunak promising about making UK the tech capital of the world - by investing in innovation and education and showing government leadership. Looking forward to @arusbridger @OversightBoard speaking about future of tech next

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

Excited for the wonderful Abigail Bridgeman to take the stage at the first ever @AllTechIsHuman London event talking about how @OversightBoard is increasing transparency at Meta and improving content moderation on Fbook and Insta across the world

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

Reminder! Today the @OversightBoard is talking about key a content moderation issue in Arabic & our public comments process. Join our virtual office hours today at 4pm Amman / 1pm GMT / 9am EST to learn more #shaheed #freedomofexpression #humanrights https://t.co/BwhPJ88j39

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

Join the @OversightBoard tomorrow to learn about our policy review of how the term shaheed (or martyr) is moderated by @Meta. It accounts for more content removals under the Community Standards than any other single word so pls register!! https://t.co/BwhPJ88QSH

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

Meta must do more to respect freedom of expression in protest contexts, like Iran. In the context of the post & the broader social, political, linguistic situation in Iran, mean it should be understood as 'down with' hence a rhetorical, political slogan, not a credible threat.

[Oversight Board @OversightBoard]

Today the Board overturned Meta’s original decision to remove a post containing the slogan “marg bar Khamenei” which literally translates as “death to Khamenei.”

The Board recommends that Meta permit the general use of the slogan on its platforms during protests in #Iran.

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

This story is likely to fall under the radar at this time of year but the implications for aid orgs & the horrific humanitarian situation in Afghanistan are dire. Even if NGOs stay the services they provide to women will be decimated. https://t.co/qaxv4vtdWR

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

I've been quiet for a while.... But seeing @OversightBoard calls for Meta to overhaul the cross-check system which allowed VIP users to keep hateful speech up for days, weeks & sometimes months covered by @FinancialTimes feels like a reason to pipe up again!

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

@FelixKartte hi - I work for the Oversight Board for Meta and we are doing a big policy review on how they should handle mis/disinformation on their channels. I would love to connect and send you an invite for a roundtable. You can DM me or email [email protected] - Thanks!

[Khaled Mansour خالد منصور @K_Mansour_]

The BSR report on META systemic failures in dealing with Palestinian rights underlines the important work of the @OversightBoard that asked for the report. Systemic problems are more serious than intentional acts by a few bad apples. https://t.co/x3EMaqHkMr

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

It's finally out & conclusions are clear! Meta’s actions "had an adverse human rights impact on the rights of Palestinian users to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, political participation, and non-discrimination" & found that Arabic content had greater over-enforcement

[Oversight Board @OversightBoard]

Today, in response to a Board recommendation in the Al Jazeera case, Meta released the findings of an independent due diligence report on the impact of the company’s policies and processes in Israel and Palestine during the May 2021 conflict.

https://t.co/Y3Eje1kL6h

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

Violent rhetoric around religious, caste and political lines is growing on social media. We urgently need new ideas and solutions to try and combat the problem. Join our board members @nighatdad @K_Mansour_ & next wk to discuss and find out more! DM for more deets

[Oversight Board @OversightBoard]

There is still time for you to register! 🗓️

We are looking for regional experts on human rights, freedom of expression and digital rights to join us and discuss online #HateSpeech towards minorities in #SouthAsia.

If that sounds like you, register below ↓

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

Have social media cos learnt from crises like Christchurch terror attack or Jan 6 & what are / can they do to tackle radicalisation online? To hear the amazing @nighatdad @ellanso @RepSwalwell & @techvsterrorism at @SXSW pls vote! https://t.co/GawmC2a1zr

https://t.co/GawmC2a1zr

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

I actually can’t believe this passed the threshold of being considered a headline… Oil firms seem more interested in shareholders than net zero https://t.co/sX7AOjFMro

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

@alrabiu - Hey I hope all is well? I'm writing from the Oversight Board for Meta. We are going to be doing some new work on mis/disinformation & I would love to get you involved. Might you be able to pls share your email? Thanks so much!

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

@JWFoundation_ hi - I really want to get some more info about your UNGA conference and propose a speaker but the forms on your website are not working? Pls email me at [email protected] so we can connect. Thanks so much - greatly appreciated. Best, Simona

[UN Human Rights Council @UN_HRC]

#HRC50 | The Human Rights Council takes action on two dozen draft resolutions on 7-8 July at the conclusion of its landmark 50th session.

WATCH from 10:00 am Geneva time on @UNWebTV HERE ▶️ https://t.co/K9HTJl9cYr

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

@judithescribano @MartinCott @ruthcottz @Megan_N17 @EveCottingham @shahinuashraf @CarolineLucas @BevMCohen @AngelaAgnesB @JennyBorden @NeeziFida @Mansoura1968 @AlisonHoltBBC @ZaraM01 @NajahAlmujahed @shereen4000 @DrFarihaKhan @pencrawley @HelenBOrganic @LAJonesey Couldn't say it better myself :-) Miss you all... Wish we were dissecting latest developments together

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

@KK_Asante @OversightBoard @Meta Thanks so much!

[Simona Sikimic-French @SimonaSkm]

@KK_Asante Hey Kwaku - I hope you're well? The @OversightBoard for @Meta is doing a roundtable on the impact of social media on democracy and elections in Africa. I would love if you could join us!! Do you have an email I can send the invite to? Many thanks