Facebook is Not Banning All Livestreamed Music

In September 2020, a Facebook Terms of Service update, set to take effect on October 1, 2020, became the subject of controversy when users interpreted it to mean that livestreaming music would be banned from the site. Some exact wording from Facebook’s music guidelines is as follows:

“You may not use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience. We want you to be able to enjoy videos posted by family and friends. However, if you use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience for yourself or for others, your videos will be blocked and your page, profile or group may be deleted. This includes Live.”

The phrase “listening experience” in particular seems vague and therefore exploitable and ripe for controversy.