After much pushback, Facebook (FB) is seemingly lifting a ban on breastfeeding images, allowing partially covered breasts to appear in images and newsfeeds on the site.
Since 2012 and even earlier, Facebook has faced criticism for removing breastfeeding images because nipples were exposed.
Hashtags such as #freethenipple have trended and remained a popular rallying cry for anti-censoring advocates.
Facebook, for its part, said the move was a natural progression and did not make a full announcement.
“We have always allowed breast-feeding photos. It is natural and beautiful and we know that it’s important for mothers to share their experiences with others on Facebook,” a Facebook spokesperson told CNET. “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. 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.”
Facebook censors have previously wiped those images out — even in some cases threatening users with account deactivation.
FB stock is up 17% year to date.
Facebook-owned photo-sharing app Instagram has strict nudity rules; it’s unclear if they extend to breastfeeding now that Facebook will allow such images to be posted.
