Body Bias: Censorship of Women on Social Media
Hidden Intimates was founded to challenge beauty standards. As someone who grew up during the Victoria's Secret "Perfect Body" campaign, I resolved to show lingerie on real bodies of all shapes, colors and sizes. Women needed it, and still do.
Platforms like Instagram are a go-to for sharing photos promoting positive body image, but there is a disproportionate amount of censorship of women's bodies on social media - especially bodies that don't fit the old conventional beauty standard.
Why are curvy bodies censored more on social media?
Curvy bodies are censored more on social media because algorithms are typically trained on conventional beauty standards. As a result, images that showcase a range of body types may be wrongly flagged as explicit or removed. When data used to train algorithms predominantly consists of content that aligns with conventional beauty standards prevalent in society, the algorithm might inadvertently perpetuate or reinforce those standards.
The Algorithm's Body Bias
Hidden's own Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok have all had continual censorship. The inability of algorithms to grasp the underlying message and intent behind images leads to unintended flags and removals.
For example, this product was removed from our Facebook shop because it was "sexually explicit." When in reality, it is a woman wearing underwear. How do you choose your underwear online when photos of the underwear are constantly removed - and sometimes, even the product itself?
I've seen countless examples of women's images being flagged as explicit where if a human eye were to review the content, it would not be. Even one of our models, Courtney was censored.
Boudoir photographers all too often have this problem as well. Boudoir photography is an art form. It is an empowering experience to showcase the subject's beauty and confidence.
The algorithm's body bias results in censorship of content with positive, empowering themes. It incorrectly flags and beautiful works of art in lingerie design and photography. It flags models that represent all of us, reinforcing a societal beauty standard because that's what we continue to see.
What can you do?
Your role as a user is crucial - because what is a social media platform with no users? Users can challenging algorithmic biases. You can report instances of unfair censorship which prompts platforms to reevaluate their content moderation policies and continue refining algorithms.
Our accounts are rarely shown to non-followers, our promotions are disabled on Instagram, and our Facebook and Pinterest are always having products and photos removed. So, if you are a fan of Hidden Intimates, beautiful lingerie, or even just Katt Wilkin's dreamy photography, please follow us on social, and send our profile to a few friends too.