Instagram is changing its breast-covering policies

Instagram has reworked its nudity policies after a campaign that Nyome Nicholas-Williams (plus-size model) ran for months. The campaign was criticized by the platform earlier this summer for censoring Nyome’s posts.

Aboutfash was informed by a spokesperson that Instagram and Facebook will be updating their policies soon to “ensure all body types are treated equally.” These platforms will allow content where someone is just hugging, cupping or holding their breasts. However, photos of people grabbing their breasts with bent fingers will be prohibited.

The changes are a result of Alexandra Cameron and Nicholas-Williams telling The Guardian’s Observer that photos from their photoshoot had been repeatedly deleted and taken down.

Nicholas-Williams stated at the time that “millions of naked, skinny white women can easily be found on Instagram every single day. But a fat black woman who celebrates her body is forbidden? It was shocking. I feel like I’m being silenced.”

Nicholas-Williams’s fans rallied around to support her using the hashtag #IwanttoseeNyome. An Instagram spokesperson stated that after reviewing her photos, they discovered that policy on breast squeezing was not being properly applied. We were able to learn from her how we could improve the policy and where it was failing.

Nicholas-Williams announced the news in a blog post. She said that she, Cameron and Gina Martin, the campaign leader, “strategized for 3 months to make sure a change would occur.”

“We worked hard on this and managed Instagram and @mosseri notice. There’s still much to do, as black plus-sized females continue to be censored. She wrote that white women tried to hijack the campaign and continue to try,” she said. “There is a huge racial inequalities in the algorithm. White bodies are promoted and don’t have to worry censorship of posts, but black bodies have to justify being on the platform. This has been brought to Instagram’s attention. If we are determined, we can accomplish anything!”

Nicholas-Williams stated in a statement that she wanted to make sure that Instagram is respected and allowed to be used as other creators without fear of being silenced or censored. This is a significant step, and I’m glad that a dialog has been started into the possible changes that can be made when women collaborate and use their platforms for change. Alex, Gina, and I will work closely with my community, as well as Instagram, to ensure that this policy protects Black plus-sized women.