Instagram censored only one of these two photos and people have questions

A photo posted on Instagram by Australian comedian Celeste Barber caused a stir on social media, again questioning what is being rumored about Instagram and its algorithm, which apparently favors thin, white and cisgendered people. The latter term is used to describe women and men whose gender identity matches the sex at birth.

On Friday, Celeste Barber posted in her parody photo series on Instagram a photo where she imitated former Victoria's Secret model Candice Swanepoel. In both photos, the body parts are revealed almost identically (although Celeste is wearing a bikini). However, Instagram did not allow the comedian's followers to share her photo, and the post was reported as "against Instagram guidelines for nudity and sexual activity." Meanwhile, the photo of Candice Swanepoel was not reported.

Është e vështirë të kuptohet se si funksionon algoritmi i Instagramit, por imazhet dhe postimet që shkelin udhëzimet rishikohen përmes raportimeve manuale dhe automatike. Instagram mendohet se ka mbi 15,000 punonjës në mbarë botën që rishikojnë postimet për të kërkuar materialet e ndaluara. Një gjë e tillë i ka bërë shumë njerëz të besojnë se algoritmi është paragjykues, po aq sa janë edhe punonjësit.

Në fakt, nuk kemi të bëjmë me një rast të izoluar. Në qershor të këtij viti, modelja Nyome Nicholas-Williams postoi një foto artistike topless, ku gjoksi i saj ishte i mbuluar me duar. Instagrami e censuroi menjëherë. Në kohën e #BlackLivesMatter, heqja e fotos nuk kaloi pa u vënë re. Ndjekësit e Nyome krijuan hashtagun #IWantToSeeNyome. Shumë prej tyre pozuan në foto të ngjashme me modelen. Një pjesë e mirë e fotove u bllokua.

At the time, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri publicly acknowledged the need to review Instagram's "prejudicial algorithm." "Our focus will start with people of color and we will see how to better serve underrepresented groups."

From what is noticed across social networks, it seems that the Instagram algorithm censors people of color, people who are not weak and women’s bodies.

Sources: Guardian, Healthline