Facebook has relaxed its previous nudity policy, and will now allow users to post breastfeeding pictures on their timelines.
Social networking sites are often under the scanner for their nudity clause. Facebook was also targeted when they deleted pictures of female users breastfeeding their babies. However, the social network giant has now relaxed their nudity policy and allowed users to post such pictures, even when a nipple is revealed. According to Engadget, Facebook is also allowing users to post mastectomy images. However, nude pictures of women that are more sensual will still be removed, according to the website.
The change was implemented about two weeks ago, though it has just been brought to the notice of users and the media. Prior to this, all breastfeeding images were treated the same way by Facebook as any picture containing nudity content, according to a Huffington Post blog.
While Facebook insists that pictures of breastfeeding mothers were never banned from the site, the company often removed such photos if they featured an exposed nipple. There have been many occasions where the company has come forward to defend its nudity policy. Previous help section regarding posting images read, "Photos that show a fully exposed breast where the child is not actively engaged in nursing do violate the Facebook Terms."However, the company has now made amendments to this statement and altered the policy.
"We agree that breastfeeding is natural and beautiful and we're glad to know that it's important for mothers to share their experiences with others on Facebook. The vast majority of these photos are compliant with our policies," the new help section reads. "Please note that the photos we review are almost exclusively brought to our attention by other Facebook members who complain about them being shared on Facebook."
The company also admitted that with its vast user database, it is inevitable that some content is removed in error. In 2012, the company was yet again targeted after it banned "The New Yorker Cartoons" Facebook page over a black-and-white cartoon featuring a shirtless Adam and Eve. In this case, the nipple was a mere black dot. After receiving a lot of heat for their action, the company finally reinstated the page.
A spokesperson has confirmed the policy changes to CNET, arguing, yet again that the site never had a ban on breastfeeding images.
"What we have done is modified the way we review reports of nudity to help us better examine the context of the photo or image," the company's representative told CNET. "As a result of this, photos that show a nursing mother's other breast will be allowed even if it is fully exposed, as will mastectomy photos showing a fully exposed other breast."
