Victory For Diversity As Facebook Apologises For Rejecting BoPo Lingerie Ads In Error
Facebook have rejected three adverts for this lingerie campaign because it breaches it’s advertising policies [Photo: CurvyKate]
Just when you think we’re beginning to make grounds in breaking down one-body-fits-all beauty boundaries, a body-positive lingerie advert, featuring a transgender model, is rejected by Facebook.
The new ad, part of CurvyKate’s new Scantilly campaign aims to give a much needed hit of diversity in the lingerie industry by shunning professional models and instead enlisting eight powerful female role models including a transgender woman, an amputee, an alopecia sufferer, a plus size blogger and a recovered anorexic.
We reported on the campaign earlier this month and were inundated with comments from women praising the ad for the empowering message it’s spreading.
But, it seems Facebook don’t seem to agree and when a group shot from the campaign was added to the social media site, it was quickly removed for breaching its advertising policies.
Transgender model, Effie, as she appears in the campaign [Photo: CurvyKate]
Since then a further two shots from the campaign including one of transgender model, Effie, have also been removed.
Though Facebook hasn’t commented specifically about the reasons the ads were removed, the standard message it posted by way of an explanation said: “We don’t allow ads that promote sexual acts, sexual videos and publications, strip clubs or adult shows. Ads like these are sensitive in nature and typically evoke a negative reaction from viewers.”
But though the shots are undoubtedly sexy (as you’d expect for a campaign called #TheNewSexy), there’s certainly no nudity, and it seems the only difference between these particular ads and other lingerie campaigns is the models themselves.
The notice CurvyKate received about it’s ad removal [Photo: CurvyKate]
Speaking exclusively to Yahoo about the ad removal, Hannah Isichei, CurvyKate’s Head of PR and Marketing, said she believes taking down the images sends the wrong message about diversity.
“At first I thought there must be some mistake when Facebook cancelled our ads,” she says. “Although Scantilly does offer more risqué pieces (and why not?) all images shown on our social pages would be classed as standard lingerie shots. No nipple, no bum shots – just gorgeous women in lingerie, being proud of who they are,” she continues.
“Across Facebook you can see lingerie images, swimwear images and other smaller cupped ‘sexy’ lingerie brands seem to be able to advertise – but the Scantilly images did not pass Facebook’s rules and regulations as they are thought to ‘provoke negative comments’ and advertise sexual activity. We were baffled, as were our fans. Everyone who is active on Facebook has seen pages that should be banned, such as those featuring violence, racism or sexism but yet eight women spreading a powerful message has been deemed as ‘negative’.”
Hannah believes the ad removals go against the positive strides we have been making towards a more diverse fashion industry.
“In recent years there have been some changes in the media, with the use of different models in the industry. We’re slowly seeing more plus size women, women of colour etc but we still have a long way to go. We need Facebook to support this drive for diversity not create another barrier, stopping these images being filtered down to the public. As such a powerful resource of information, socialising and news – Facebook should be encouraging a message of positive body image so that their wide and diverse range of followers may start seeing someone they relate to.”
Recovering anorexic, Megan Crabbe has spoken out about the ad removal [Photo: CurvyKate]
Megan Crabbe, a recovered anorexic who appeared as one of the campaign models, believes there’s a diversity bias when it comes to advertising on social media.
“This isn’t the first time bodies that don’t fit the cultural idea of acceptable or beautiful have been censored, while those who do get to post the same content freely,” she explains.
“The people who have power over what we’re allowed to see shouldn’t be letting their own prejudice dictate who the ‘rules’ apply to and who they don’t. Perhaps instead of banning a campaign promoting body positivity, self love and acceptance of all bodies, their time would be better spent targeting the violence, racial hatred, pornography and pro-eating disorder content that still runs rampant online. A group of diverse women celebrating their bodies and encouraging others do the same isn’t dangerous or inappropriate, but the censorship of it is both.”
This advert featuring model Tess Holliday was also rejected by Facebook [Photo: Facebook/Cherchez La Femme]
This isn’t the first time Facebook has been accused of rejecting a body-positive advert. Back in May the social media giant was forced to apologise after removing an advert for a feminist group Cherchez la Femme starring Tess Holliday. The advert, to promote an event called ‘Feminism and Fat’, featured a picture of the model in a bikini but was banned by the social media site because it “depicts a body or body parts in an undesirable manner”.
That time around Facebook eventually reversed it’s decision to ban the advert and issued an apology for not initially approving the image.
Let’s hope it’s only a matter of time before they do the same this time around. After all, if we’re only shown one type of image, how will we ever change the public’s perception of the ‘norm’?
UPDATE: 28th July 2016
Since reporting on CurvyKate’s quest to get their Scantilly ads reinstated to Facebook, social media has been awash with messages of support for the campaign. And it seems Facebook have been taking note, as they have now responded to offer an explanation and apology for the removal of the ads. It turns out it’s all been a big old misunderstanding and Facebook rejected the ads in error.
“Our team processes millions of advertising images each week, and in some instances we incorrectly prohibit ads,” explained a Facebook spokesperson via email. “This image does not violate our ad policies. We apologise for the error and have let the advertiser know we are approving their ad.”
To be fair to them, given the gazillion ads Facebook must need to approve on a daily basis, it’s kind of understandable that a few perfectly fine ads can slip through the rejection net. So fair play to them for stepping up and sorting it all out.
Not only do CurvyKate get to continue to spread their body positive message, Facebook have earned major props for rectifying the matter so quickly.
Oh we do love a happy ending!
What do you think? Let us know @YahooStyleUK
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