Facebook Clarifies Community Standards for Live Video Approval
Facebook live video adoption is taking off, but mainstream success has put the feature at the center of tragic national events this week in Minnesota and Texas. The social network has responded with a carefully worded statement about what live video will be allowed and what won't.
"Live video allows us to see what’s happening in the world as it happens. Just as it gives us a window into the best moments in people’s lives, it can also let us bear witness to the worst. Live video can be a powerful tool in a crisis—to document events or ask for help," the announcement says.
As with other content on Facebook, anyone viewing a live video that they think goes against the company's community standards can create a report which will be reviewed. When it comes to violent or graphic images, Facebook says, "context and degree are everything." In the event of a shooting, a live video used to raise awareness or help locate the shooter would be allowed, while the same video used to disparage the victims or celebrate the violence would not be.
If a video is graphic but allowed, Facebook will add a warning to it and the video won't autoplay or show up to minors.
Facebook's moderators work around the clock, and check out viral videos even if they aren't reported for violations. Collectively, these moderators speak over three dozen languages. if a video is allowed by one moderator but gets reported again, it will be reviewed by another moderator. Facebook audits videos that were removed to ensure its standards were followed correctly.
"The images we've seen this week are graphic and heartbreaking, and they shine a light on the fear that millions of members of our community live with every day," Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote last week.
Related Articles
Media partners will better understand how audiences watch and share videos; tools will roll out to all video creators in the coming weeks.
11 Aug 2016
Look for broadcasters to begin streaming live video to Facebook, as the social network opened up its API for third-party hardware and software developers.
12 Apr 2016
The social network debuts a range of live video features, putting live streaming at the heart of its mobile experience.
06 Apr 2016
Members in over 30 countries can now share live video via Facebook, a number that will expand in the coming weeks, the company said.
29 Feb 2016