YouTube, Meta and Twitch won't say whether they would allow a US government livestream of an execution
Major platforms have not said whether they would permit a US government livestream of an execution. TikTok and Kick say such content would violate their rules.
YouTube, Twitch, Meta and X have not said whether they would let the US government livestream an execution on their platforms, according to tech outlet The Verge. The question arose after an unnamed Pentagon official said the execution of Nidal Hasan, who was convicted over a 2009 mass shooting at a military base in Texas, will be livestreamed.
Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
Who responded
Two platforms replied. Jamie Favazza, a spokesperson for TikTok's US operations, pointed to the platform's ban on "shocking and graphic content," including "the moment of someone's death." Kick, which is known for a hands-off approach to content moderation, confirmed that such a stream would breach its Community Guidelines. Kick spokesperson Audrey FitzGerald said in an emailed statement that a livestream of this kind on Kick would violate those guidelines.
Rumble, an online video platform known for hosting far-right influencers, also did not respond to a request for comment.
What the rules say
The community guidelines of YouTube, Meta and Twitch suggest this type of content would not be allowed, but it is unclear whether the companies would make an exception for the US government. Meta, Twitch and X explicitly state that violent content involving death is not permitted. YouTube bans content that encourages dangerous or illegal activities risking serious physical harm or death, and it also disallows livestreams that feature someone holding or handling a firearm.
