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What are Facebook’s content guidelines?
Facebook’s content guidelines are designed to ensure that the platform remains a safe, respectful, and welcoming space for all users. These guidelines set out the rules for what can and cannot be posted, and they apply to both organic content (posts, comments, and videos) and ads. Facebook’s content guidelines are primarily enforced through community standards and are continually updated to reflect new challenges and concerns as the platform evolves.
Here’s an overview of Facebook’s content guidelines:
1. Hate Speech and Discrimination
- Prohibited Content: Facebook does not allow content that promotes hate or violence against people based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.
- Incitement to Violence: Content that encourages or advocates for violence against individuals or groups based on their identity or beliefs is banned.
- Dehumanizing Language: Facebook prohibits content that dehumanizes others, whether through slurs, stereotypes, or derogatory language.
2. Harassment and Bullying
- Prohibited Content: Facebook bans content that targets individuals with harassment, threats, or bullying. This includes doxxing (revealing personal information without consent), public shaming, and other harmful actions intended to intimidate, harm, or provoke others.
- Victim Blaming: Content that blames individuals for things beyond their control, such as in cases of assault or abuse, is also prohibited.
3. Violence and Criminal Behavior
- Prohibited Content: Content that depicts or encourages violence, self-harm, or illegal activities is not allowed. This includes:
- Threats: Posts or messages threatening harm to individuals, groups, or property.
- Graphic Content: Content that displays excessive gore, violence, or disturbing images, unless for educational, documentary, or news purposes.
- Criminal Behavior: Content related to criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, or other illegal activities.
- Self-harm: Facebook also removes content that promotes or glorifies self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders. However, the platform may offer support resources to users expressing these concerns.
4. Nudity and Sexual Content
- Prohibited Content: Facebook restricts the sharing of explicit sexual content or nudity, including images, videos, or text that depict:
- Explicit sexual acts or genitalia.
- Pornographic material.
- Sexual exploitation, especially involving minors.
- Exceptions: Some types of nudity are allowed, such as:
- Breastfeeding photos.
- Artistic representations (e.g., sculptures, paintings) of nudity.
- Health-related content, such as post-mastectomy photos or images of childbirth.
5. Misinformation and Fake News
- Prohibited Content: Facebook works to limit the spread of false or misleading information. This includes:
- False Health Information: Posts promoting false cures, misleading medical claims, or harmful health practices (such as unproven treatments or anti-vaccine misinformation).
- Election Interference: Content that misrepresents election procedures, voting, or other important political processes.
- Fact-Checking: Facebook partners with independent fact-checking organizations to identify and label misleading or false content, particularly around elections, public health, and other important topics.
6. Spam and Fake Accounts
- Prohibited Content: Facebook prohibits spammy content, which includes:
- Clickbait: Posts or headlines designed to mislead people into clicking without delivering relevant or truthful content.
- Scams: Content designed to deceive users or take advantage of them, such as lottery scams, phishing, and fraudulent business practices.
- Fake Accounts: Facebook does not allow users to create fake or deceptive profiles. This includes impersonating someone else or creating multiple accounts for manipulation.
- Mass Posting or Automation: Content that is posted by bots or automated systems to promote products or services without user interaction is prohibited.
7. Intellectual Property
- Prohibited Content: Facebook upholds intellectual property rights and prohibits:
- Copyright Violations: Content that uses copyrighted material (e.g., music, movies, artwork) without permission.
- Trademark Infringement: Content that uses trademarked logos, names, or slogans in a way that could cause confusion or imply false endorsement.
- User Reports: Facebook has a process for reporting intellectual property violations, and users can submit takedown requests for infringing content.
8. Impersonation and Deceptive Practices
- Prohibited Content: Facebook bans content where users impersonate others, such as:
- Creating fake accounts or pages that mislead others about their identity.
- Posting content that appears to be from a trusted brand, but is actually a deceptive or fraudulent account.
9. Respecting Privacy
- Prohibited Content: Facebook prohibits the sharing of personal or sensitive information, such as:
- Doxxing: Posting private details, like phone numbers, addresses, or other identifying information, without consent.
- Non-consensual intimate imagery: Sharing explicit photos or videos of people without their consent, commonly referred to as “revenge porn.”
- Safety Measures: Facebook provides privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their posts, and it also removes content that invades individuals’ privacy.
10. Promotion of Dangerous Products or Services
- Prohibited Content: Facebook prohibits content that promotes harmful, dangerous, or illegal products and services, such as:
- Illegal drugs or controlled substances.
- Firearms and other regulated weapons (unless compliant with applicable laws).
- Tobacco and alcohol promotions, especially targeted toward minors.
- Gambling content that does not comply with local laws.
11. Community Standards Enforcement
- Reporting and Enforcement: Facebook has a robust system for users to report inappropriate content. The platform reviews reports and takes action, which may include:
- Removing content that violates guidelines.
- Issuing warnings to users.
- Banning or restricting users who repeatedly break the rules.
- Appeals Process: If a user disagrees with Facebook’s decision, they can appeal the removal or restriction of their content.
Conclusion
Facebook’s content guidelines are designed to create a positive, safe, and inclusive environment for all users. They prohibit harmful behaviors such as hate speech, harassment, violence, misinformation, and exploitation, while promoting respectful communication and the free exchange of ideas. Users and businesses must adhere to these guidelines when posting or advertising on the platform to ensure that their content remains compliant and accessible to the wider Facebook community.
