Facebook apologises for blocking Gay Marriage USA page for ‘offensive’ picture of couple
Facebook has apologised for blocking Murray Lipp, the founder of the Gay Marriage USA Facebook page, for a week over an ‘offensive’ picture of a mixed-race gay couple kissing.
The social media sharing site has now agreed that the photo does not violate its terms, and has allowed Lipp back on the site after being contacted by the Guardian.
Lipp told the Guardian: "Not once has Facebook ever contacted me to give me an opportunity to respond – it simply blocks me each time and each time the block is for a longer period of time. It's totally unjust that I should be punished for someone else's homophobia."
Comments on the picture included: "I am just in disgust with their lifestyle. It's disgusting and completely vile."
Facebook admitted: "Normally these comments are reviewed separately and removed where appropriate. In this instance the photograph itself was mistakenly taken down, despite there being nothing in the picture that breaks our rules. We apologise for the error."