Instagram Called Out For Censoring More Art With New ‘Sensitive Content’ Default
Image via PixieMe / Shutterstock.com
This week, Instagram launched a new feature allowing users to control how much “upsetting or offensive” content appears on their Explore tab.
Instead of creators the user already follows in their regular feed, the Explore tab displays posts curated by the app’s algorithm based on the user’s account activity.
However, some artists on Instagram are pushing back against this new feature, asking their followers to allow for “sensitive content,” as not doing so might cause their artworks to be censored.
Currently, the platform defines “sensitive content” as “posts that don’t necessarily break our rules, but could potentially be upsetting to some people.” This includes violent or sexually explicit images, such as “pictures of people in see-through clothing” or posts that promote substances such as drugs or tobacco.
With the new feature, users will be able to choose if they wish to “allow” or “limit” such posts from appearing on their Explore tab, or “limit even more” for more protection.
Content creators and artists fear that the new controls will impact the reach of their art, especially as “limit” was set by Instagram as the default setting.
“We don’t know how this will affect artists yet, but the fact is that overnight, everybody’s settings all of a sudden included an option to limit the content they see to varying degrees,” artist Clarity Haynes told Hyperallergic.
“I think of it as a kind of sanitizing of art, and it will most negatively affect artists who are pushing the envelope. Decorative art that is not challenging will be fine, but LGBTQIA+ artists, artists of color, and feminist artists will probably be affected by this.”
Image via Facebook
.@Instagram launches 'Sensitive Content Control' feature
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) July 20, 2021
The feature lets you manage how much sensitive content shows up in Explore https://t.co/87pli9OUG7 pic.twitter.com/FPZucoPfRa
[via Hyperallergic, cover image via PixieMe / Shutterstock.com]
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