Instagram is facing a fierce international backlash after removing a post by prominent Italian plus-size model and body positivity advocate Natascia Maesi, accusing it of violating the platform's strict nudity policies.
The controversial incident occurred when Maesi shared a series of photographs to her profile, one of which featured her wearing a revealing black lace bodysuit. Despite the image not showing any explicit nudity, Instagram's automated moderation systems swiftly removed it, triggering a wave of condemnation from users and activists worldwide.
A Pattern of Discriminatory Moderation?
This is not an isolated case for the 29-year-old model. Maesi revealed to her followers that this marked the third occasion her content had been unfairly censored by the Meta-owned platform. She expressed her frustration, stating that such actions disproportionately target bodies that do not conform to traditional, often unrealistic, beauty standards.
The move has been widely criticised as a blatant example of digital body-shaming and algorithmic bias. Critics argue that while the platform frequently allows suggestive content from thinner, more conventionally shaped influencers, it unfairly penalises plus-size creators for similar or even less revealing posts.
Global Outcry and Solidarity
The decision sparked immediate outrage across the globe. Followers and fellow content creators from Italy, France, Chile, and Canada flooded social media with messages of support for Maesi, using hashtags to protest against what they perceive as Instagram's discriminatory practices.
Many have shared their own experiences of inconsistent moderation, pointing to a deep-seated flaw in the platform's automated review systems. The consensus among advocates is that these algorithms are not neutral and often perpetuate harmful societal biases against larger body types.
Instagram's Response and Ongoing Scrutiny
As the story gained traction, pressure mounted on Instagram to address the incident and review its moderation policies. The company has long faced scrutiny over its opaque and often contradictory community guidelines, particularly concerning female-presenting nipples and body diversity.
This latest episode adds fuel to the ongoing debate about how major tech platforms police content and the profound impact their decisions have on marginalised communities and movements like body positivity. It raises critical questions about who gets to define 'appropriate' content and the need for more human oversight in automated processes.
