Facebook to consider live video restrictions after NZ attacks Published duration 30 March 2019 Related Topics Christchurch mosque shootings

image copyright Getty Images image caption Some 20,000 people attended a memorial service on Friday for the 50 victims who were killed while praying

Facebook has promised to explore restrictions on live-streaming, two weeks after it was used during gun attacks on two mosques in New Zealand.

Chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said the social media giant agreed with calls it "must do more".

Meanwhile, New Zealand is to review "inadequate" laws on hate speech.

Justice Minister Andrew Little said the current laws did not tackle "the evil and hateful things that we're seeing online", and that the government and the Human Rights Commission would work to bring forward proposals by the end of the year.

Of the dozens injured, 21 people remain in hospital, three of them in intensive care.

What does Facebook say?

"All of us at Facebook stand with the victims, their families, the Muslim community, and all of New Zealand," Ms Sandberg wrote in her letter to the New Zealand Herald

"Many of you have also rightly questioned how online platforms such as Facebook were used to circulate horrific videos of the attack... We have heard feedback that we must do more - and we agree."

image copyright Getty Images image caption Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg outlined the company's actions in a letter to a New Zealand newspaper

Ms Sandberg said: "First, we are exploring restrictions on who can go Live depending on factors such as prior Community Standard violations."

Social media sites struggled to contain the attack video, which was copied onto the alt-right file-sharing site 8chan and then spawned 1.5 million copies.

The chief operating officer did not announce any policy changes, but outlined how the social network would strengthen the rules for using Facebook Live and take greater steps to address hate on its platforms.

Facebook has been heavily criticised within New Zealand in the wake of the attack over its lack of response to officials.

Facebook has said it is working with the New Zealand Police on its investigation.