Instagram tightens rules vs. porn, trolling

Photo-sharing service Instagram is tightening its rules against pornography and trolling or harassment, adopting sterner language in its guidelines.

 

The revised rules are posted in the Facebook-owned service's community guidelines, where the summary asks users to not spam people or post nudity.

 

"We want Instagram to continue to be an authentic and safe place for inspiration and expression. Help us foster this community. Post only your own photos and videos and always follow the law. Respect everyone on Instagram, don’t spam people or post nudity," read the "short" part of the guidelines.

 

As for the long part, Instagram reminded users to share only photos or videos they themselves had taken or have the right to share.

 

The tougher language is in the section where Instagram asks people to "post photos and videos that are appropriate for a diverse audience."

 

"We know that there are times when people might want to share nude images that are artistic or creative in nature, but for a variety of reasons, we don’t allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks," it said.

 

Also banned are some photos of female nipples, but photos of post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding are allowed, it said.

 

Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures are okay also, it said.

 

However, as for children, Instagram said it may at times remove images that show nude or partially-nude children.

 

"Even when this content is shared with good intentions, it could be used by others in unanticipated ways," it said.

 

"We have zero tolerance when it comes to sharing sexual content involving minors or threatening to post intimate images of others," it added.

 

Other guidelines remind users against supporting terrorism, organized crime or hate groups - or offering sexual services, illegal or prescription drugs or promoting recreational drug use.

 

It also asked users not to glorify self-injury.

 

Say 'Please'

 

An article on the Wall Street Journal said Instagram has adopted a tougher stance as well, saying “please” just once, instead of the previous four times.

 

“In the old guidelines, we would say ‘don’t be mean’... ... Now we’re actively saying you can’t harass people. The language is just stronger,” said Nicky Jackson Colaco, director of public policy for Instagram.

 

The tougher language is included in guidelines where:

 

 

“How do we establish a baseline around nudity when you have hundreds of millions of users? We need to create a standard that most people can live by,” Colaco said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News