Facebook just could not get its name out of controversy recently. CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with conservative commentators last week after reports claimed that the social network was politically biased, with articles on conservative topics being suppressed from Facebook's Trending Topics section.
The social network now finds itself in a new controversy, with this new one not any less socially relevant.
An advertisement submitted by Australian feminist group Cherchez La Femme for the promotion of an event entitled "Feminism and Fat" was rejected by Facebook due to the ad featuring an "idealized physical image."
The advertisement, which includes an image of plus-size model Tess Holliday in a bikini, is said to depict "a body or body parts in an undesirable manner." Other images prohibited under the same ruling are close-ups of muffin tops with overhanging fat shown, people with extremely tight clothes, people pinching their cellulites or fat or those showing medical conditions such as eating disorders in a negative light.
According to Facebook, the image went against the social network's health and fitness policy and that the organizers should replace the picture with one that features a relevant activity such as riding a bike or running.
A post by the organizers fumed at Facebook for ignoring the fact that the event is meant to discuss body positivity, particularly for plus-size women, and that the social network seemingly had no idea that plus-size women can also feel good about themselves.
The organizers then called upon their followers to share the post promoting the event, as while the original post was not taken down, they were blocked from boosting the advertisement due to Facebook's rejection of the picture featuring Holliday.
Facebook, however, has quickly apologized for the confusion, with the social network now having reinstated the image.
"Our team processes millions of advertising images each week, so we occasionally make mistakes," said a spokesperson for Facebook who clarified that the picture does comply with the social network's advertising policies.
The spokesperson then apologized in behalf of Facebook for any offense that the earlier rejection of the advertisement may have caused.
