The new policy is aimed at making the social network is a safer place
Facebook has unveiled a string of new rules on the type of things users are prohibited from posting on the social networking site.
According to Reuters, the company has created a new rulebook that highlights a range of banned topics, including drug use, sex work, bullying, violence and hate speech.
The new rules provide more details compared to its «community standard» section, which was previously a brief and general discussion of the company’s rules.
However, in light of continued criticism about its privacy and user protection practices, Facebook has published a more detailed document that can be accessed from the website.
On Tuesday, Monika Bickert, vice president of product policy and counterterrorism at Facebook, explained that the document introduces clearer user policies and provides more information about its operations.
«You should, when you come to Facebook, understand where we draw these lines and what’s okay and what’s not okay,» she told reporters.
Around 8,000 words in length, the document details and categorises a variety of words, images and videos that are censored on the platform.
For example, videos showing violent acts and cannibalism are not allowed to be shown on the platform. And people are banned from using the site to sell and buy drugs or firearms.
Content where someone «admits to personal use of non-medical drugs» will be removed too, along with videos of people «cursing at a minor».
Another big change in Facebook’s user policy is that users can now approach the company if they feel that content has been removed unfairly.
In the past, people could only launch an appeal if their Facebook account, group or page was taken down. The company currently has 7,500 moderators who look for violated text, pictures and videos.
Bickert revealed to Reuters that the company holds a special meeting called «the Content Standards Forum» on a bi-weekly basis to discuss its content policy.
She added: «Everybody should expect that these [policies] will be updated frequently.»
