Facebook Reportedly Doesn't Want to Censor Suicide on Livestream

Facebook has been under fire since the launch of their "Live" option on their website that allows users to livestream whatever they are doing. The reason they have been under fire is because of horrific acts of violence and death that have occurred while users partake in the service. For example, a man was kidnapped and tortured by four kids while it was shown on Facebook live.

Also, there have been a few instances of users committing suicide via the platform. Now, via a leaked copy of Facebook's censorship standards, the platform made it clear that they do not want to censor suicide that take place on livestreams. The leaked document noted the company wants to "allow as much speech as possible," but need to take action if or when an issue "could credibly cause harm" in real life. However, that notion does not extend to suicide on livestream.

According to Facebook, if a person were to commit suicide while on their livestream service, the company will only take down the video once there is longer an opportunity to help out that person. Along with that, Facebook allows users to livestream videos of people attempting suicide because they don't "want to censor or punish people in distress who are attempting suicide." Although Facebook won't censor suicide, the company will censor phrases like "this is amazing" or "f*ck yeah" if it is a comment left in reference to a violent act.