Facebook censors target Ophelia's exposed nipples

by Stevie Smith - Jul 5 2010, 13:03

Grab your virtual cross-shaped sticking plasters and prepare to cover any innocent areolas displayed on your Facebook pages, because the social networking giant’s censorship police are actively looking for exposed nipples...

And not necessarily the kind of nipples attached to living, breathing creatures of this planet, but rather those belonging to ornate and highly collectable china dolls appearing in advertising campaigns for designer jewellery.

According to Australian jeweller Victoria Buckley, she received a number of warnings from Facebook over the course of the weekend, all of which centred on the nude porcelain dolls that are pictured alongside her jewellery.

The social network has accused Buckley of breaching the service’s terms and conditions by displaying what it constitutes as “inappropriate content” via her account.

Informed by Facebook that the offending images are to be removed unless she acts, Buckley has covered the exposed nipples but opened a new Facebook group called ‘Save Ophelia – exquisite doll censored by Facebook,’ in the hopes that fellow users will back her challenge.

“Somebody’s got a Michelangelo fan group on there and they do have a picture of the Statue of David,” commented Buckley in a Sydney Morning Herald report. “Why is that OK and this isn’t”

It’s worth noting that little Ophelia resides in the window of Buckley’s jewellery store in Sydney, and not a single complaint or negative comment has been forthcoming from patrons or passers by – despite the doll being surrounded by A3-sized posters that carry her naked image alongside examples of Buckley’s work.

It remains to be seen how Facebook reacts to media coverage being given to Buckley’s dolls and their exposed nipples. However, the social network is unlikely to backtrack despite user pressure.

In 2008, Facebook caused outrage amongst mothers when it moved to ban pictures of women breastfeeding. That restriction remains in place although a group established to petition against the ban exists and carries almost 260,000 members.  

Around the Web