Facebook backtracks on beheading videos, promises to delete reported instances

Facebook will no longer allow uploads of beheading videos to be shared on the social network, the BBC reports. The company had originally allowed the graphic videos to remain on the site because they did not violate its content policy, but relented following pressure from its safety advisory board.

According to reports, users had uploaded videos to highlight beheadings in Mexico, and the tools used to commit such acts. Facebook originally believed that it should act like media organizations that broadcast similar footage, making people aware of the crimes and encouraging opposition against them. Changing its stance, Facebook told the BBC it “will remove instances of these videos that are reported to us while we evaluate our policy and approach to this type of content,” suggesting the company may soon overhaul its guidelines in order to better protect users from distasteful content.