Breast is repressed on Facebook

THOUSANDS OF WOMEN from across the globe have launched a furious protest against Facebook over its terms and conditions after the social networking site barred photographs of breastfeeding mothers, describing the images as "obscene".

The move has provoked a backlash from the Facebook community where more than 14,000 members have signed an online petition entitled "Hey Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene," which calls on the website to reverse its discriminatory stance.

The row started in June when the Facebook deleted a picture from the private album of a Canadian mother and 'lactivist' called Karen Speed on the grounds it was "obscene content". Within days, the site had removed another four images and within weeks, her account was completely disabled.

"You uploaded a photo that violates our Terms of Use, and this photo has been removed. Among other things, photos containing nudity, drug use, or other obscene content are not allowed, nor are photos that attack an individual or group," the email said.

It is not exactly clear which part of Facebook's Ts&Cs the photographs violated.

"They definitely aren't pornography, and certainly don't depict violence. There are no threats, harassment, or bullying and they are not defamatory, derogatory, demeaning, malicious, abusive offensive or hateful. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter in the near future, and to a sensible resolution to this outdated and puritanical outlook," wrote one woman.

According to Californian law, where Facebook apparently has its HQ, a woman has the right to breastfeed anywhere - it is a basic human right which is protected by civil law.

"Breastfeeding is not obscene. Breastfeeding is the way that the human race survived, before there was formula and bottles, and continues to be the healthiest, best way to feed a baby," wrote another mother, Sarah Pullman.

In response to the emails, a customer service representative named Vivian wrote: "It is Facebook's policy to take down any photo that displays female nipples, regardless of context. We certainly do not have a policy to remove all photos of breastfeeding babies, nor do we generally take down photos of babies, breastfed or bottle-fed. We will, however, remove a photo of a woman breastfeeding if her nipples are exposed," she wrote.

Now that's a little bit more specific.

Should anyone fancy playing Spot The Nipple, here is the offending photo which was originally deleted from Facebook and sparked the entire debate. µ