Facebook's disgusting hate-speech problem

The social network's reluctance to remove gruesome images depicting rape and violence towards women has sparked criticism

Facebook
(Image credit: Jens Büttner/dpa/Corbis)

Facebook isn't shy about policing the site for material it deems inappropriate. "Graphic content for sadistic pleasure" is strictly prohibited, as is hate speech directed at specific targets. Per the social network's Community Standards (emphasis added):

Facebook does not permit hate speech, but distinguishes between serious and humorous speech. While we encourage you to challenge ideas, institutions, events, and practices, we do not permit individuals or groups to attack others based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability or medical condition. [Facebook]

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Chris Gayomali is the science and technology editor for TheWeek.com. Previously, he was a tech reporter at TIME. His work has also appeared in Men's Journal, Esquire, and The Atlantic, among other places. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.