Social media , and specifically Facebook and Instagram, have "married" sexual innuendo with fruits and vegetables.
In July, Facebook and Instagram updated their Facebook Community Standards language regarding permissible sexual expression on social media platforms.
Under the new terms — which were officially approved in September — pairing an eggplant or peach emoji with any expression of sexual arousal is now labeled as “Sexual Solicitation.” “Sexual Solicitation” can lead to an account being reported or terminated.
The Facebook Community Standards language is quite broad, not explicitly mentioning emojis but referring to “common” erotic emojis or emoji strings “as criteria that qualify as “Suggestive Elements.”.
“[Content] will be removed from Facebook and Instagram if it contains a sexual emoji alongside an indirect or direct request for nude images, sex or sexual partners, or in sexual chat conversations,” an Instagram spokesperson told the New York Post.
“We’re not just taking action on emojis.”
Nude photos where emojis cover genitals, buttocks, or female nipples are also officially banned, as are links or information that lead to pornographic or other adult material.
The only thing for sure is that this news will displease porn stars.
A Facebook spokesperson declined to comment on the incident, but offered this statement: "We frequently make updates to our Community Standards. We post these changes on our Community Standards website so our community is aware."
