British PM blasts Facebook over beheading videos
Cameron said "worried parents" needed to hear an explanation from the US-based website.
"It's irresponsible of Facebook to post beheading videos, especially without a warning," the prime minister said on his Twitter page. "They must explain their actions to worried parents."
Facebook had introduced a temporary ban on videos of beheadings in May following complaints that the graphic footage could cause users long-term psychological harm.
But it confirmed on Monday (21 October) that it had reversed the decision on the grounds that the site is used to share information about world events, including terrorist attacks and human rights abuses.
It added, however, that it was considering adding warnings to graphic videos and that photos or videos that "glorify violence" would be removed.
"Facebook has long been a place where people turn to share their experiences, particularly when they're connected to controversial events on the ground, such as human rights abuses, acts of terrorism and other violent events," the company said in a statement.
"People are sharing this video on Facebook to condemn it. If the video were being celebrated, or the actions in it encouraged, our approach would be different.
"However, since some people object to graphic video of this nature, we are working to give people additional control over the content they see.
"This may include warning them in advance that the image they are about to see contains graphic content," the company said.
More than one billion people around the globe use Facebook every month, according to the website, which was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and four fellow students at Harvard University.
Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
