Summary:
In June 2015, a leading child protection charity demanded that Facebook and other social networks should be held accountable following a clash over a "disturbing" video. The video in question shows a "terrified, sobbing baby" being dunked repeatedly in a bucket of water.
Allegations:
- The UK National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) raised concerns about Facebook's apparent refusal to remove the controversial video which showed a baby in emotional distress.
- In March 2017, BBC News reported in an investigation that Facebook had removed only 18 out of the 100 groups and posts it had reported for containing child exploitation images. The BBC was later granted an interview with Facebook policy director Simon Milner under the condition they provide evidence of the activity.
Defence:
- While acknowledging that the video was "upsetting and disturbing", Facebook said it did not believe the video breaches its rules and that it would not ban all uses of the footage, save those that are being used to encourage such disturbing behaviour.
- Faccebook said that it was allowing the video to be viewed in cases where people were raising awareness or condemning the actions within it. However, in these cases it would mark the video as disturbing and viewable only to people over the age of 18.
- Facebook cancelled the interview with BBC News, and reported them to the National Crime Agency for illegally distributing child exploitation images. However, Milner later stated that the investigation had led Facebook to address flaws in its image moderation process and all of the reported content had been removed from the platform.