Taken Leave of Its Senses': Facebook Announces Major Change to Decapitation Video Stance

Decapitation videos were banned in May when footage of a Mexican woman having her head cut off was circulated, disturbing and causing outrage among Facebook users.

A decapitation video has been making its rounds on Facebook again after the social media site reversed its ban on the graphic content due to the sentiment with which it is being shared. (Image source: Facebook)

At the time, a spokesperson told TheBlaze Facebook was going to "remove instances of this video that are reported to us while we evaluate our policy and approach to this type of content."

The BBC confirmed with Facebook that its terms and conditions now officially allow such videos.

"Photos and videos containing nudity, drug use or other graphic content are not allowed on Facebook. We also don't allow photos or videos that glorify violence or attack an individual or group," Facebook policy states.

Another section detailing content that is not allowed states "self-harm or excessive violence" will also be banned.

Regarding the decapitation video, which has been shared on Facebook again recently, BBC received this comment (emphasis added):

"Facebook has long been a place where people turn to share their experiences, particularly when they're connected to controversial events on the ground, such as human rights abuses, acts of terrorism and other violent events," said a spokeswoman.

"People are sharing this video on Facebook to condemn it. If the video were being celebrated, or the actions in it encouraged, our approach would be different.

"However, since some people object to graphic video of this nature, we are working to give people additional control over the content they see. This may include warning them in advance that the image they are about to see contains graphic content."

Facebook users have been taking to the video's comments section calling for it to be removed again.

Family Online Safety Institute's Stephen Balkam told the BBC he was "unhappy that these have gone back up and that they have gone up without any warning." He said he planned to contact Facebook about the issue Tuesday.

John Carr, a board member on the U.K.'s Council on Child Internet Safety, told the British news site Facebook had "taken leave of its senses" by allowing such videos again.

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