Do Social Networks Have an Obligation to Remove Hateful Content?

Submitted by Mike Allton on Sun, 09/16/2012 - 11:31pm

Do Social Networks Have an Obligation to Remove Hateful Content?

Americans and the World at large have watched and been stunned as more and more groups have rioted and killed over a video that was posted to YouTube.

On Friday, Sept. 14 the White House asked that the video be removed. According to Mashable, "The Obama administration has "reached out to YouTube to call the video to their attention and ask them to review whether it violates their terms of use," Tommy Vietor, spokesman for the National Security Council, told the Washington Post on Friday."

Google, despite YouTube guidelines which prohibit "hate speech", has refused the request. YouTube's terms of use define hate speech as "speech which attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, and sexual orientation/gender identity."

Every social network and user content community must face the same basic question. At what point is freedom of speech no longer applicable? When a user or group of users decide to push the lines of social norms, at what point should moderators step in? Do you agree or disagree with Google's decision?

View the discussion thread.

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	By Mike Allton, Social Media and Internet Marketing Consultant Mike is a Social Media Consultant in St. Louis, Missouri. He has been working with websites and the Internet since the early '90's. He is active on all of the major social networks and enjoys writing and teaching small business owners on how to leverage the Internet to promote and grow their business. Mike provides training and seminars to businesses in the Greater St. Louis area, as well as nationwide, on topics like "Creating a Company Culture of Content Marketing" or "Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses." To schedule a consultation or to book Mike for a workshop or seminar, please complete the online contact form.

By Mike Allton, Social Media and Internet Marketing Consultant

Mike is a Social Media Consultant in St. Louis, Missouri. He has been working with websites and the Internet since the early '90's. He is active on all of the major social networks and enjoys writing and teaching small business owners on how to leverage the Internet to promote and grow their business. Mike provides training and seminars to businesses in the Greater St. Louis area, as well as nationwide, on topics like "Creating a Company Culture of Content Marketing" or "Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses."

To schedule a consultation or to book Mike for a workshop or seminar, please complete the online contact form.