‘Free the nipple’ campaigners set to win fight with Facebook

Social network agrees to meet activists to consider ‘going back to drawing board’ on its nudity policy

FOR years, Facebook has been getting hot under the collar over whether it should allow the female breast to be displayed in all its glory.

While the social media website allows some nudity when it comes to paintings and photographs of women breastfeeding, it has maintained a “no nipple” policy in most areas.

As a consequence, countless posts have been removed, with even global pop star Rihanna forced to take down topless pictures of herself from Instagram, which is owned by Facebook.

But, after years of criticism, one of the last great taboos on social media could soon be, well, busted.

Facebook has said it is considering relaxing the “no nipple” policy, bowing to pressure from artists, in a victory for anticensorship campaigners.

The social network agreed to meet a coalition of activists as it seeks to revise guidelines that prohibit nude photos.

Facebook currently removes photos of “uncovered female nipples” except in cases such as breastfeeding and protests, and allows statues and paintings depicting nudity. Its position has drawn criticism from “Free The Nipple” campaigners who say it shows double standards for banning female but not male nipples.

The company has discussed lifting its ban in an attempt to allow “cultural nudity” on the website, but failed to agree on how to define it, according to records of a recent policy meeting published by Facebook. However, it said it would go “back to the drawing board to understand if there’s more we can do in the realm of cultural nudity”.

Last week more than 100 naked demonstrators protested against the company’s policies outside Facebook’s New York headquarters. A spokesman for the US National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), which organised the protest, said the current ban discriminates against photographic artists and prevents museums from promoting exhibitions. Artists increasingly rely on Instagram and Facebook to promote their work, but say they are being marginalised by the policies.

Bee Nicholls, from the Free the Nipple Brighton campaign, said “it sends a message that women’s bodies are inherently sexual and therefore not capable of being neutral no matter the context.”

Facebook has also allowed photos involving nudity in “newsworthy” events, as well as last year loosening its rules on nudity in paintings. However, it has been criticised for applying its guidelines inconsistently, often removing breastfeeding and artistic nudity even after bans were lifted.

A spokesman for Facebook said: “I can confirm that we agreed to meet with the NCAC and other stakeholders… It’s important for us to hear from directly from different communities who use Facebook and Instagram.”

‘It sends a message that women’s bodies are inherently sexual and therefore not capable of being neutral no matter the context’