This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/aug/24/mafia-city-video-game-ad-does-not-breach-facebook-guidelines
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Video game torture ad 'does not breach Facebook guidelines' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Facebook advert for a video game that invites players to torture or kill a gagged and trembling woman is not considered in breach of guidelines by the social media giant. | A Facebook advert for a video game that invites players to torture or kill a gagged and trembling woman is not considered in breach of guidelines by the social media giant. |
| The ad depicts scenes from a popular game called Mafia City, which has been downloaded more than 10m times as a mobile app and is promoted on Facebook users’ feeds. It has been banned by YouTube. | The ad depicts scenes from a popular game called Mafia City, which has been downloaded more than 10m times as a mobile app and is promoted on Facebook users’ feeds. It has been banned by YouTube. |
| It features a blonde woman with tape over her mouth, apparently shaking with fear while the player decides between two options, “torture” or “finish her”. A speech caption reads: “Boss, I won’t betray you.” | It features a blonde woman with tape over her mouth, apparently shaking with fear while the player decides between two options, “torture” or “finish her”. A speech caption reads: “Boss, I won’t betray you.” |
| Facebook has been approached for comment. It is understood that the advert does not breach its guidelines and appears only to users who have registered their age as over 18. | |
| It appears under a caption that reads: “This game is too real for under 18s. Control yourself and try not to become addicted.” | It appears under a caption that reads: “This game is too real for under 18s. Control yourself and try not to become addicted.” |
| The advert previously appeared on YouTube but a spokesperson for the video site’s parent company, Google, said it had been “disapproved” after complaints. | |
| The video previously drew criticism from Reddit users. One said the game was “literally implying rape of captured women”. | The video previously drew criticism from Reddit users. One said the game was “literally implying rape of captured women”. |
| Another responded: “I mean rape might be toturous [sic] but torture definitely doesn’t imply rape. | Another responded: “I mean rape might be toturous [sic] but torture definitely doesn’t imply rape. |
| “I bet if you click torture it’s probably doesn’t show anything or it’s like Chinese water torture. It’s just a shitty game trying to show off how edgy their story is.” | “I bet if you click torture it’s probably doesn’t show anything or it’s like Chinese water torture. It’s just a shitty game trying to show off how edgy their story is.” |
| One Twitter user asked YouTube this year why it was featuring “offensive content” such as the Mafia City advert. | |
| @YouTube Considering your policy on de-monetising offensive content; can I ask why an actual ad on your site for the game Mafia City was basically a bunch of women with duct tape over their mouths, pleading that they won't betray, with the option "torture" clearly displayed? | @YouTube Considering your policy on de-monetising offensive content; can I ask why an actual ad on your site for the game Mafia City was basically a bunch of women with duct tape over their mouths, pleading that they won't betray, with the option "torture" clearly displayed? |
| The advert also appears to have featured on online music streaming service Pandora Radio, according to a Twitter user who complained that it “normalises violence against women”. The Guardian has approached Pandora Radio for comment. | |
| Mafia City, which has a tagline inviting players to “become the revered Godfather”, is made by Yotta Games. | Mafia City, which has a tagline inviting players to “become the revered Godfather”, is made by Yotta Games. |
| The company is domiciled in Hong Kong, according to a companies register, but a customer services telephone line indicates that it has a presence in the US state of Alabama. | The company is domiciled in Hong Kong, according to a companies register, but a customer services telephone line indicates that it has a presence in the US state of Alabama. |
| A spokesperson for the company said via email: “These ads are made by some other companies in cooperation with us, we will contact them to solve this.” | A spokesperson for the company said via email: “These ads are made by some other companies in cooperation with us, we will contact them to solve this.” |
| Facebook and YouTube have previously come under fire for profiting from adverts that promote racial hatred or contain content otherwise deemed offensive. | |
| Several major brands pulled advertising from YouTube last year after their content appeared next to videos promoting extremist views or hate speech. | Several major brands pulled advertising from YouTube last year after their content appeared next to videos promoting extremist views or hate speech. |
| Facebook launched a system in 2013 to prevent adverts being shown next to violent, graphic or sexual content, after pressure from advertisers such as Nissan, Nationwide and BSkyB. | |
| Games | Games |
| YouTube | YouTube |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |