INSTAGRAM DISABLES PLUS-SIZE MODEL'S ACCOUNT
A Vancouver plus-size model is speaking out after her main source of income, a verified Instagram account with half-a-million followers, was disabled without explanation by the social networking company.
“Women who don't fit the typical Eurocentric beauty standard are being targeted,” said Jennifer Palsenbarg, who spent the last decade posting online, building a social-media empire as Ruby Roxx the lingerie model.
The 37-year-old said it's “unequal censorship” that has been threatening her social media account and those of body-positive influencers like her on the digital platform.
“Celebrities such as Britney Spears and brands such as Playboy Magazine are allowed to post nudity without any issues,” she said. “So, why do my posts get taken down and violate guidelines?”
Instagram's guidelines don't permit nudity with the exception of “some photos of female nipples in the context of breastfeeding, birth-giving, health-related situations or act(s) of protest. Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is OK too,” according to its website.
Palsenbarg first found her account had been disabled after opening the application Dec. 12.
“My heart sank into my stomach,” she said. “This happened to me before in April so I tried not to panic. I tried to think positively, that I would be able to get it back by reporting the problem to the company as I did before.”
However, after a month of sending in reports and appeals to Instagram, Palsenbarg's account hasn't been restored. The model said she hasn't been given any indication by the company as to what caused the deletion.
“Instagram has not responded to any of my reports for help,” she said.
Palsenbarg said she believes the deactivation has something to do with community violations amassed on her account from users who previously reported photos of her modelling lingerie for a brand deal.
“Everything I post, I made sure that (it) is within guidelines. I mostly model lingerie so my nipples are generally always covered. On the off chance that a nip-slip happens, I make sure to blur or censor it if I decide to post it.
“I've had posts taken down before and they were eventually restored but remained as violations on my Instagram account,” she said.
A month into starting a new Instagram account, Palsenbarg has amassed 12,500 followers.
However, brands and companies she previously worked for are offering her less to promote their lingerie. And fewer are asking her to do so, the model said: “I can't blame them because now I have less online reach than before.”
She still hopes that Instagram will restore her former account. “I have lost 10 years of hard work, including business contacts and photos I might never get back,” Palsenbarg said. “It affects my career and income, but I've found the sentimental losses more upsetting. I've lost photos of loved ones and friends who I haven't seen in years and some of those who aren't here anymore, including my grandmother. I just want my account back.”