Norway Introduces Law Requiring Influencers To Disclose If Photos Are Retouched
Image via Shutterstock
Norway’s parliamentary legislative body, Stortinget, has recently voted to pass a law requiring influencers and advertisers to disclose retouched images on social media.
According to VICE, the new regulation was passed as an amendment to the Marketing Act, winning by a landslide of 72 to 15 votes.
Under the new legislation, advertisements or posts where a body’s shape, size, or skin texture has been retouched – even through a filter – will be required to attach a label designed by the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Family Affairs.
Examples of retouched photos include enlarged lips, narrowed waists, and exaggerated muscles, though it may not apply to lighting or saturation.
On social media, such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, influencers and celebrities who post paid or sponsored pictures will also have to adhere to the new law, with violations punishable by escalating fines.
The introduction of such a law comes amid continued public debate in Norway about “body pressure,” or beauty standards. The Ministry of Children and Family Affairs cited studies that showed such pervasive standards were a contributing factor to low self-esteem in young people today.
“Body pressure is always there, often imperceptibly, and is difficult to combat. A requirement for retouched or otherwise manipulated advertising to be marked is one measure against body pressure,” the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs wrote in the proposed amendment sent to parliament, as per VICE.
Despite the ruling, the ministry did concede that photo manipulation has become increasingly difficult to determine, which makes enforcing the new law more difficult. There could also be the unintended consequence of influencers opting for cosmetic surgery instead of using editing software to “live up to beauty ideals.”
Surprisingly, as per a report in Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang, local influencers have welcomed the ruling, with one even championing the idea of labeling all retouched photos.
[via VICE, cover image via Shutterstock]
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