WASHINGTON: More than 70 rights groups asked Facebook on Monday to clarify its policies for removing content, especially at the behest of governments, alleging the company has repeatedly censored postings that document human rights violations. Facebook's content policies have come under growing international scrutiny amid several controversial takedowns and reversals in recent months, including the company's handling of an iconic Vietnam war photo showing a naked girl burned by napalm. Facebook announced last month it would begin weighing news value more heavily when deciding whether to block content. In their letter, the groups accuse Facebook of censoring content that depicts police brutality, which "sets a dangerous precedent that further hurts and silences marginalized communities, particularly communities of color." The groups requested that Facebook make its policies for removing content clear and accessible to the public, especially with regard to live broadcasts and journalistic material.

Source: The Star November 01, 2016 01:23 UTC