High tech

Banned On Facebook: How The Social Network Tackles Controversial Topics

TechRadar has reported that a number of documents and manuals used to train Facebook’s moderators have been exposed in an investigative report by The Guardian, revealing the type of content users are and aren’t allowed to post on the social networking site. That includes taking some controversial stances. For instance, it’s allegedly Facebook policy to allow the livestreaming of video of people attempting self-harm, only removing the video “once there’s no longer an opportunity to help the person … unless [the videos] are newsworthy”. Another example is in relation to violent language, which Facebook only deems as against the rules if the specificity of language makes it seem like it’s “no longer simply an expression of emotion but a transition to a plot or design”. General statements like “let’s beat up fat kids” (a direct quote) can remain on the site, whereas someone’s request for a presidential assassination would be removed.