TORONTO – Facebook has removed a gruesome video of a woman being beheaded and is re-examining its policies regarding graphic content after public outcry for lifting a temporary ban on graphic images.
The social networking giant previously said that violent videos – such as those showing beheadings – were allowed on the site only if they were being shared in order to condemn the issue, or to show them as atrocities.
“If they were being celebrated, or the actions in them encouraged, our approach would be different,” a spokesperson for Facebook said in a statement.
The company has since flip-flopped on the issue stating that it decided to “strengthen the enforcement of its policies” regarding users sharing graphic content.
A Facebook spokesperson said Wednesday, “When we review content that is reported to us, we will take a more holistic look at the context surrounding a violent image or video, and will remove content that celebrates violence.”
Facebook will also take into consideration whether the user posting the content is sharing it “responsibly” by posting the video or image with a warning and sharing it with an age-appropriate audience, the spokesperson added.
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“Based on these enhanced standards, we have re-examined recent reports of graphic content and have concluded that this content improperly and irresponsibly glorifies violence. For this reason, we have removed it,” said the spokesperson.
“Going forward, we ask that people who share graphic content for the purpose of condemning it do so in a responsible manner, carefully selecting their audience and warning them about the nature of the content so they can make an informed choice about it,” said a Facebook spokesperson.
Read More: Facebook says its working on ways to warn users about violent videos
Facebook banned beheading videos in May but lifted the prohibition Monday, according to a report by BBC. Many users have since condemned the social network for potentially exposing users to the violent content, including British Prime Minister David Cameron who has remained quite vocal on the issue on Twitter.
On Wednesday Cameron tweeted, “I’m pleased Facebook has changed its approach on beheading videos. The test is now to ensure their policy is robust in protecting children.”
In the midst of the controversy, Facebook announced it was considering opening the social networking site to children under the age of 13. The site’s current rules state that users must be a minimum age of 13 before signing up – however, this does not stop kids whose parents or caregivers help them sign up for the site.
Read More: Facebook ‘thinking about’ opening site to preteens
Other groups have also spoken out about Facebook’s regulations – many pointing out that images showing women breast feeding, and breast cancer survivor’s mastectomy scars, have been removed from the site for violation Facebook’s community standards.
Read More: Facebook clarifies stance on post-mastectomy photos
– With files from The Associated Press
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