Instagram Is Censoring Certain Hashtags
Instagram appears to be censoring #stripper and #strippers by hiding content on the "Top posts" tabs under those hashtags. As reported by Jezebel, this censoring isn't new, but it has implications for dancers and sex workers who use the app to connect and organize online.
Related hashtags that were reportedly hidden until recently include: #yesastripper, #stripperstyle, and #stripperlife. They all appear to be operational now, and as of press time, the "recent posts" tabs for #stripper and #strippers appeared to be back up.
But as Jacq the Stripper noticed, some hashtags didn't suffer the same censorship: #Malestripper(s) has remained un-hidden, prompting warranted cries of sexism from within the online dancer and sex work community.
In case you were wondering, #NotAllStrippers are being censored pic.twitter.com/PdmjimDJ12
- Jacq the Stripper (@JacqTheStripper) May 29, 2018
Instagram has yet to comment with an explanation for why these particular hashtags were hidden, when others were not. Some worry that this is Instagram's gut reaction to FOSTA, or the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, which was recently passed. The act holds online platforms (like Instagram) responsible for content related to sex trafficking.
But even fear of FOSTA wouldn't fully explain other hashtags that Instagram is currently hiding. In 2015, users noticed Instagram was censoring and hiding #curvy, and it appears the app is still doing so now. A slew of other random hashtags also appear to be currently hidden, including: #stripclub, #vagina, #breasts, and #boobs.
A post shared by @the$tripteaseagency (@thestripteaseagency) on May 26, 2018 at 2:42pm PDT
If Instagram - a place that strictly prohibits nipples - is trying to monitor nudity (which is a no-go, per its community guidelines), then some of these blocked hashtags make sense. Just for fun, though, here's a list of hashtags that Instagram isn't currently censoring: #penisparty, #malestripper, #fuckfeminism, #fuckwomen, #fuckmen, #fucklgbt, #guns, #gunsofinstagram, #nazi, #nazism, and #kek - a popular meme used among the alt-right.
Each of these hashtags are populated with images, as in, people are using them. Just as Instagram's community guidelines prohibit offering sex work on the app, they also prohibit the buying and selling of firearms. It's also against community guidelines to "encourage violence" or "attack anyone based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or diseases."
It's not immediately clear why Instagram would more diligently monitor some hashtags that are commonly used by women and dancers more than others that are commonly used to spew racism, sexism, and hate. According to Instagram's guidelines, none of these things are allowed on its app. Or, technically, there's nothing remotely illegal about stripping, pole dancing, or being #curvy. So monitoring those hashtags feels... Extremely pointless.
Instagram has yet to respond to a request for comment. This post will be updated accordingly.
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