Following a campaign launched by Adidas to promote its new collection of 43 sports bra models respectful of female diversity, the controversy on social networks such as Instagram has been unleashed. You’ve probably seen the collage of discord, made up of images of different women’s breasts, which the sports brand was able to publish without consequences on Twitter. However, Instagram has been forced to digitally retouch the nipples.
And this is nothing new: Instagram also removed the poster for Almodóvar’s film “Parallel Mothers” in August 2021, which showed the nipple of a breastfeeding woman dripping with milk. The reaction of many users was swift, and they shared the controversial images on their accounts, with vindictive messages defending the meaning of the poster. And it worked, because Instagram did not remove the poster again, keeping absolutely silent on the issue. Even so, one thing became clear: there is a type of image that Facebook censors.
What is Instagram’s approach to censoring images?
Instagram has community standards to protect its platform from “harmful content and new types of abuse”. And to enforce them, the social network has stated that it works “to remove content that may be harmful by adding policies that prohibit coordination to cause harm… hate speech, bullying, harassment and misinformation”.
In terms of images, Instagram advises posting both photos and videos that are “appropriate for a diverse audience”. And while Instagram is aware that some users may want to share artistic or creative nudity, they do not allow nudity to be posted on the platform for a variety of reasons.
Instagram states that “Photos are acceptable in the context of breastfeeding, childbirth and postpartum, in health-related situations or as an act of protest. Therefore, and according to this context, the image of the “Parallel Mothers” poster should have been accepted from the beginning on the platform. Instagram goes on to detail that nudity is also accepted in photos of paintings and sculptures. And on certain occasions, it is possible that images showing fully or partially nude children may be removed, even if this content is shared with good intentions.
More content bans on Instagram
Instagram’s censorship is not limited to nudity in images and videos. The social network also does not allow people who support or praise terrorism, organised crime or groups that promote hatred.
It is also forbidden to offer sexual services, the sale and purchase of firearms, alcohol and tobacco-related products, and the sale and purchase of illegal or prescription drugs. Instagram also prohibits the sale of live animals between individuals, and coordinates the hunting or sale of endangered species and their products. It has zero tolerance for those who share sexual content related to minors or who threaten to post intimate images of other users.
Instagram also has explicit restrictions that protect users from content that contains graphic violence, or images of sadistic practices or that glorify violence. It is also possible for them to remove content that identifies victims or survivors of self-harm, in the event that this is used as a form of attack or mockery. With all these measures, Instagram aims to ensure that the content on the platform is suitable for all users. What do you think?