I mean- YES! Over the past few weeks when Instagram decided to ban, block, delete the hashtag #Curvy from its site, I do not think they realized just how much heat it would put them in. It was a ridiculous move in the first place, removing a hashtag that was such a great way for plus size women of varying sizes to search for inspiration, style, and other people to follow!
The plus size community responded with a resounding NO! with alternative hashtags, such as #Curvee, #bringbackcurvy, and other varied hashtags calling out the hypocrisy and frustration around this decision. Citing the use of p0rn and nudity showing up in the hashtag, rather than deleting or removing those pictures, Instagram unfairly and ignorantly targeted the plus size woman by blocking the use of the hashtag, when more than a few other hashtags consistently violated Instagram’s “policies” on nudity and p0rn.
How I’m feeling after @instagram bought back the #curvy hashtag! GO TEAM #curvee #teamgotbody #curvybloggers #plussize #celebratemysize
BUT. BUT! My have things changed! In a quick reconsideration and what I imagine to be the heat of the community and the news surrounding this unfair action, Instagram has lifted its ban on #Curvy and has introduced a new automated system “designed to keep the hashtag “clean” of porn and nudity,” as shared on Mashable.
“We want people to be able to express themselves, and hashtags are a great way to do that,” Instagram’s spokesperson told Mashable. “At the same time, we have a responsibility to act when we see hashtags being used to spread inappropriate content to our community. In the case of #curvy, we don’t like putting restrictions around a term that many people use in very positive ways, so we have decided to unblock the hashtag while taking steps to ensure that it’s not used as a vehicle for bad content.
I mean, I am surprised they didn’t have these systems in place already. But with the rightful uproar and attention this action caused, it has forced Instagram to be a bit more proactive in their applications to better and more fairly take care of the nudity and other policy violating issues!
#curvy is back!!! IG can not tell us how to feel about our bodies. We have curves and we’re gonna use them!!! ! #takingitback #effyourbeautystandards #curvee
How about that for the collective power of our voices!
Now, I must say that the hashtag is not back 100% but it is slowly coming back… With only Top Posts and nine images in its search, it is a bit odd seeing that when there are a reported 2 million images in its hashtag. Maybe their new technology is scanning all the images?
This will be interesting to see and watch how this plays out. I am sure they have learned a bit about the plus size woman and the community here!
Thoughts?
Lead image from @CurvyBostonGal79
