Facebook staff moderating user posts are ordered to delete all forms of sexual activity, but violent and gory images are allowed, according to a leaked document issued buy a disgruntled former employee.
A 21 year old Moroccan man, who claims he was paid $1 an hour screening Facebook content through an out-sourcing firm, has reportedly leaked a document that sheds light on how the social networking website censors content
The disgruntled ex-employee worked at oDesk, the company that moderates Facebook’s user content. He supplied blog Gawker with a copy of Facebook’s acceptable content guidelines.
Apparently staff have to delete all forms of sexual activity but excessive blood and ‘crushed heads and limbs’ are allowed.
The leaked sheet is part of a 17-page document that goes into detail about what is and is not allowed on the site.
Depictions of illegal drug use are prohibited, unless it is apparently about marijuana, but posts will be removed if someone is clearly selling, buying or growing the drug.
Photos where users are asked to rate people set side-by-side are also not allowed nor are images of people drunk with drawings on their faces.
Previously, Facebook had to apologise for removing a photograph of a gay kiss from soap EastEnders and came under fire from protesters for removing pictures of mothers breastfeeding.
Commenting on the leak, Facebook have said: “We are constantly improving our processes and review our contractors on an ongoing basis. This document provides a snapshot in time of our standards with regards to one of those contractors, for the most up to date information please visit our website.”
The move has sparked criticism from some anaylists, claiming the guidelines are hypocrital of the company’s approach to user privacy.
Joanna Morley, Social Media & Online PR Manager at SiteVisibility, commented: “Whilst the rules about what we can and cannot post on Facebook have been inadvertently published by a disgruntled former employee, what it all fails to highlight is the growing and concerning trend of people of all demographics posting before thinking.
“Let’s remember the key word here is ‘published’. You are publishing information, photos, private details about you, your family and loved ones. Once it is in the public domain then there is simply no turning back. And what also confuses me about this story is that it is a poor reflection on society where photos of a sexual nature are banned but it seems that mutilated bodies are deemed OK to publish?
“It’s fascinating how Facebook want us to share every last detail of our lives with them in complete timeline fashion, but then these contradictory strict guidelines as to how far we can go are revealed. Another thought… Where do the banned photos go?”
View the full ‘Abuse Standards Operational Manual’ below (Source: Gawker)
Abuse Standards 6.2 – Operation Manual
