Reddit bans violent subreddits following Christchurch terrorist attack
Another day, another internet giant belatedly deciding to apply its own policies in the face of a tragedy.
Following the tragic Christchurch terrorist attack in New Zealand that left 49 people dead and scores more injured, and the subsequent sharing online of a livestream from the killer, Reddit has banned two subreddits that it now says glorified or celebrated violence.
SEE ALSO:Police urge people to stop sharing that Christchurch shooter video onlineThe first, r/watchpeopledie, was pretty much exactly what it sounds like — a place where people shared and commented on grisly videos of real deaths. The second, r/gore, was less specific in its death requirements but also contained violent video and images.
Attempting to visit either page, as of the afternoon of March 15, brings users to a notice from Reddit stating the reasoning behind the ban.
"This subreddit has been banned for violations of our Content Policy," reads the message, "specifically our policy against glorifying or encouraging violence."
Notably, r/watchpeopledie featured video of the Christchurch shooter's livestream of the massacre. Before it was banned, visitors to the subbreddit were greeted with a warning letting them know that this was no ordinary corner of the internet.
"Are you sure you want to view this community," asked a cover page archived by the Wayback Machine. "This community is quarantined[.] It is dedicated to shocking or highly offensive content. Are you certain you want to continue?"
Tweet may have been deleted
Quarantined subreddits, according to Reddit, "generate no revenue, do not appear in non-subscription-based feeds (eg Popular), and are not included in search or recommendations."
Reddit further explains that it quarantines subreddits that "while not prohibited, average redditors may nevertheless find highly offensive or upsetting."
The company's policy regarding violent content suggests that, under Reddit's own rules, r/watchpeopledie should probably have been banned long ago.
"Do not post content that encourages, glorifies, incites, or calls for violence or physical harm against an individual or a group of people; likewise, do not post content that glorifies or encourages the abuse of animals," reads the policy in part.
Which, yeah, seems like Reddit is taking the path blazed by fellow Silicon Valley juggernauts: wait until something goes terribly wrong, and then react in a half-assed manner. Somehow, we're not surprised.
Featured Video For You
Delete Facebook says WhatsApp co-founder
-
This shark lives for centuries. Scientists discover how it resists aging.昆明市雅安商会举行周年庆典新世嘉引领中级车市新主流Netherlands reach first World Cup final with extraWhen Are NextFifa’s normalisation committee good for Pakistan football: PFF president[Herald Interview] ‘Sexual harassment is not personal, but social problem’Balance tops list of Google Play's best apps of 2021实干担当抓落实 多措并举促发展Seoul approves fund to pay N. Korea's Olympic bills
- ·Expanded police surveillance will get us “broken windows” on steroids.
- ·Polestar has unveiled the official name and launch date for its new electric sedan
- ·North Korea denies sending arms to Russia amid Ukraine war
- ·Speculation swirls over allies' military drill
- ·Where to pre
- ·North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US aircraft carrier prepares for drills with South Korea
- ·[Newsmaker] Park aide Woo Byung
- ·How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files
- ·Spate of defections show Kim Jong
- ·一致好评!盘点贵州品牌农产品大湾区推介的明星“贵品”
- ·国家高水平体育后备人才基地 雅安名列其中
- ·Dutch great and Bayern Munich legend Robben retires from football
- ·Tesla reveals Cybertruck has sold more than DeLorean
- ·Remember that alien megastructure star? It's probably not aliens
- ·20日前市区医疗废弃物 集中处置率要达到100%
- ·[PyeongChang 2018] Over 60 pct of S. Koreans support proposed inter
- ·Ford can make your Mustang Mach
- ·Seoul approves fund to pay N. Korea's Olympic bills
- ·How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files
- ·石棉县加大对自然保护区等重点区域巡查
- ·11 Places to See Tiny Trains
- ·Moon welcomes Olympic athletes from Russia at Cheong Wa Dae
- ·North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US aircraft carrier prepares for drills with South Korea
- ·一致好评!盘点贵州品牌农产品大湾区推介的明星“贵品”
- ·PS5 Pro: It looks like a sketch of the design just leaked
- ·Malala is off to college and needs your packing advice
- ·Against All Odds: How Netflix Made It
- ·Murray relishing prospect of playing with Williams
- ·[Newsmaker] Park aide Woo Byung
- ·Instagram's new stickers let you add polls to your Story
- ·Alcaraz, Sinner survive US Open wobbles
- ·Polestar has unveiled the official name and launch date for its new electric sedan
- ·The tech we were thankful for in 2021
- ·US prepares to evacuate civilians in case of war in Korea: report
- ·共同推动雅安职工思想政治引领数智化发展工作做深做实
- ·Watch this terrifying yet beautiful time