Facebook blocked, on Saturday, September 5, the broadcast of the agony of end-of-life activist Alain Cocq.
To denounce the current provisions on euthanasia in France, the 57-year-old man suffering from an incurable disease had announced that he would let himself die live on the social network.
"While we respect his decision to draw attention to this complex issue, based on expert advice, we have taken steps to prevent live streaming on Alain's account as our rules do not allow not depicting suicide attempts, "a Facebook spokesperson told AFP.
During the night from Friday to Saturday, this inhabitant of Dijon had announced in a video that he had stopped his treatment and all food and hydration, thus letting himself die live.
Hours later, as he was about to post a new video, he announced, "Facebook is blocking me from video broadcasting until September 8."
"Your turn to play", also writes this 57-year-old man for his supporters before giving the address of Facebook France in Paris to "let people know what you think of his methods of obstructing freedom of 'expression".
"A fallback system will be active within 24 hours" to broadcast video, he said.
Facebook has detailed rules: while they do not include specific end-of-life provisions, they are on the other hand very strict regarding content that may be akin to promoting suicide or self-harm.
Cases that include euthanasia or assisted suicide.
Many Internet users have provided support to the patient.
"The Cocq law will happen, I am sure", wrote one of them, convinced that its action will allow an evolution of the Claeys-Léonetti law of 2016 which authorizes deep sedation but only for people whose The prognosis is "in the short term".
With AFP
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