What type of images does Instagram censor? An Adidas campaign reignites

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SUSANA GALEANOFEBRUARY 10,
What type of images does Instagram censor? An Adidas campaign reignites the controversy over nipples on the social network.
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The controversy over the images that Instagram censors has returned to haunt the social network this week, this time because Adidas has launched a campaign to promote its new collection of 43 sports bra models that are respectful of female diversity and that try to adapt to the different shapes and sizes in the population. And he has done it through a collage of images of different women's breasts. A composition that the sports brand has been able to publish without problems on Twitter, but that on Instagram it has had to launch by digitally retouching the nipples.


The precedent: the controversy over the censorship of the Madres paralleles poster
Its strict policy against female nudes was the reason why Instagram removed the poster for Almodóvar's latest film in August : its work showed the nipple of a lactating woman, dripping milk and framed by a silhouette simulating an eye, on a red background.

As a form of rebellion, many users have shared the image on their accounts, accompanied by messages that vindicated the meaning of Jaén's work, while he himself shared the poster again:


Their efforts bore fruit since the social network did not remove the poster again or Russia Email List make any comments about it , however the doubt about what type of images Instagram censors remains in the air.

The rules by which some images suffer censorship on Instagram
According to Instagram, their community standards are intended to ensure that they protect against “harmful content and new types of abuse . ” The platform adds that to achieve this “we are working to eliminate content that may be harmful by adding policies that prohibit coordination to cause harm… language that incites hate, bullying, harassment and misinformation.” Specifically regarding images, the social network advises publishing photos and videos that are “appropriate for a diverse audience.”

The social network adds that it is aware “that some people may want to share nude images of an artistic or creative nature ; However, for various reasons, we do not allow nudes to be posted on Instagram.”

But in this same rule, Instagram ensures that “ Photos are accepted in contexts of breastfeeding, childbirth and postpartum, in situations related to health or as an act of protest. Nudes are also accepted in photos of paintings and sculptures . People like to share photos or videos of their children. For security reasons, we may occasionally remove images that show fully or partially naked children. Even if this content is shared with good intentions, it could be used in unexpected ways by others. You can get more information on our “ Tips for Parents ” page. With this explanation it can be interpreted that the image of the poster of Almodóvar's film should be allowed from the beginning on the social network.

Other prohibited content on Instagram
But the social network does not stop at nudity when it comes to censoring images and videos. As he explains on his website, “Instagram has no place for people who support or praise terrorism, organized crime or groups that promote hate. It is also not permitted to offer sexual services, the sale and purchase between individuals of firearms and products related to alcohol or tobacco, or the sale of illegal or prescription drugs (even if they are legal in your country). Likewise, Instagram prohibits the sale of live animals between individuals, although stores with physical establishments can offer these sales. No one can coordinate the hunting or sale of endangered species or their derived products (…) We show zero tolerance for those who share sexual content related to minors or who threaten to publish intimate images of other users.”

In addition, the social network has explicit restrictions to protect its users from “ graphically violent” content , in order to ensure that Instagram remains appropriate for everyone. It is not permitted under any circumstances to share graphic images of sadistic practices or that glorify violence (…) We may also remove content that identifies victims or survivors of self-harm if it is used as a form of attack or ridicule.”



Nudity: valid censorship or violation of freedom of expression
Returning to the issue of nudity and the poster for Almodóvar's film, according to the community standards of Facebook , Instagram's "sister" network, nudity and sexual activity are limited on their platforms "to protect certain people in our community." "that show special sensitivity to this type of content."

In addition, Mark Zuckerberg's company ensures that it eliminates these types of images “in order to prevent non-consensual or minor content from being shared. Restrictions on the display of sexual activity also apply to digitally created content, unless it is published for educational, humorous or satirical purposes .

In general, the company says that its policies regarding nudity “have become more nuanced over time. We understand that nudes can be shared for many reasons , including as a form of protest, to raise awareness for a cause, or for educational or medical purposes. When that intent is clear, we allow that content .”

Of course, this is not the first time that image policies have created controversy on Facebook's social networks. We can remember the case of Facebook censorship of the historic photograph “The Napalm Girl” taken during the Vietnam War, which shows the tragic and shocking scene of a naked and burned girl, fleeing the horrors of war.

This image, along with many others that are part of universal history, have gone through censorship on Facebook, Instagram and other social networks while users claim that freedom of expression is violated on their platforms, since content that has informative, journalistic value, and in the case of the poster for Almodóvar's film, an artistic value.