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 bras respectful of female diversity and that they try to adapt to the different shapes and sizes in the population. And he has done it by 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.
Here you can see the publication of the Twitter campaign:
We believe women’s breasts in all shapes and sizes deserve support and comfort. Which is why our new sports bra range contains 43 styles, so everyone can find the right fit for them.
🔗 Explore the new adidas sports bra collection at
—adidas (@adidas)
And here the post on Instagramwith retouched nipples:
And it is not the first time that we live a “nipplegate” on Instagram. How would … “mom, mom, mom, mom.”
The precedent: the controversy over the censorship of the Parallel Mothers poster
His strict policy against female nudity was the reason why Instagram removed the poster for Almodóvar’s latest film in August 2021: his 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 in their accounts, accompanied by messages that vindicated the meaning of Jaén’s work, while he himself shared the poster again:
Their efforts paid off as the social network did not remove the poster again nor has it made any comment on itHowever, the question about what kind of images Instagram censors remains up in the air.
The rules by which some images are censored on Instagram
According to Instagram, they 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 remove potentially harmful content by adding policies that prohibit coordination to cause harm… hate speech, bullying, harassment, and misinformation.” Specifically about images, the social network advises posting photos and videos that are “appropriate for a diverse audience.”
The social network adds that it is aware “about what some people may want to share artistic or creative nude images; however, for various reasons, we do not allow nudity to be posted on Instagram.”
But in this same rule, Instagram ensures that «Photos are accepted in contexts of lactation, childbirth and postpartum, in situations related to health or as an act of protest. are also accepted nudes 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 nude children. Even if this content is shared with good intention, it could be used by others in unintended ways. You can get more information on our «« page. with this explanation It can be interpreted that the image of the Almodóvar film poster should be allowed from the beginning on the social network.
Other prohibited content on Instagram
But the social network does not stay naked when it comes to censoring images and videos. As explained on its website “There is no place on Instagram for people who support or praise terrorism, organized crime or hate groups. It is also not allowed to offer sexual services, the sale between individuals of firearms and products related to alcohol or tobacco, or the sale of illegal or prescription drugs (even if it is legal in your country). Likewise, Instagram prohibits the sale of live animals between individuals, although stores with a physical establishment can offer these sales. No one can coordinate the hunting or sale of endangered species or their derived products (…) We show zero tolerance with 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 content “of great graphic violencein order to make sure that Instagram remains appropriate for everyone. Under no circumstances is it allowed 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 this is used as a form of attack or mockery.
Nudity: valid censorship or violation of freedom of expression
Returning to the topic of nudity and the Almodóvar movie poster, according to Instagram’s “sister” network, nudity and sexual activity are limited on their platforms. “to protect certain people in our community who show a special sensitivity to this type of content.”
In addition, Mark’s company ensures that it eliminates this type of image “with the purpose of 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 ensures that its policies regarding nudity “They have faded over time. We understand that nudes can be shared for many reasonsincluding as a form of protest, to raise awareness of 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 the policies on images have created controversy in those of Facebook. We can remember the case of censorship on Facebook taken during the Vietnam War, where the tragic and shocking scene of a naked and burned girl fleeing from the horrors of war is shown.
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.
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