In the @w3c process, "a Formal Objection to a group decision is one that the reviewer requests that the Director considers as part of evaluating the related decision". It allows to ensure that dissenting voices get a fair hearing when consensus cannot be otherwise reached.
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Looking to the future, the @w3cAB proposes to modify the way FOs are handled. In the🎬below, @frivoal explains step by step how the proposed 'W3C Council' would serve to replace the Director in handling Formal Objections: youtube.com/Ax9MzKDXlSw

The W3C Council: Experimenting with Director-free Formal Objections,...

Florian Rivoal from the W3C Advisory Board explains how the proposed W3C Council would serve to replace the Director in handling Formal Objections.

youtube.com
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