Facebook Sorry for Calling Mastectomy Pix 'Sexual and Abusive'
Recently, Facebook banned pictures of a woman showing her mastectomy scars, calling the images "sexual and abusive." For anyone who has seen these pictures, those are not words they inspire. However, Facebook has taken back its original ban and apologized to Sharon Adams, the poster of the pictures and breast cancer survivor.
After the original decision was made, hundreds of users in the U.K. protested and railed against Facebook. Users even created online groups such as "Get Sharon Adams Picture on Facebook for Breast Cancer," which has over 900 members.
In a conversation with the Daily Mail, Sharon Adams explained her motives: "I put these pictures out on Facebook to put a message out to women– check your breasts regularly and do not ever be ashamed of a mastectomy."
Of course, this is not the first time users have been outraged by one of Facebook's decisions in what is appropriate for the site; other controversial issues have included breastfeeding women and Holocaust denial groups.
Facebook issued a written apology that stated the photos did not violate their policies and that its oversight was due to reviewing too many photos. [From: Daily Mail, via ShinyShiny]
Banned Facebook Groups
Facebook is a great venue for humiliating oneself with ranting and raving, but, like most things, people can take things too far. Give someone a soapbox (or in this case, a Facebook group) and there are sure to be others crazy enough to follow them. Here are some examples of Facebook groups that crossed the line and were banned from the site.
Assasinate Evo Morales
Here's a good way to get your group banned -- call for the assassination of a political leader. Titled 'Global Collection to Hire a Sharpshooter to Liquidate Evo Morales' was taken down by Facebook since it bans threatening violence. No surprises here.
Getty Images
Surrey, BC Terrorist Group
A Facebook group supporting the International Sikh Youth Federation, a banned terrorist organization, was taken down by Canadian Police. Authorities were tipped off to the group because its page depicted a young person holding a prohibited gun, which was eventually traced back to 49-year old Bahadur Sandhur. Police seized it and two others when they investigated his home.
Dead Babies Group
Facebook took down a group called 'Dead Babies Make Me Laugh' after the UK Sun was flooded with outraged calls and emails. A running joke on campuses, the group included fake anecdotes about killing babies, but mothers weren't laughing even though the group was created and classified as being "just for fun."
I Need Sex Group
Laura Michaels of Bristol, England, created a Facebook group called 'I Need Sex.' According to the UK Sun, the group had more than 100 members after being up for only one hour. Michaels claims to have ended up sleeping with 50 of the group's members -- literally half of the group. Facebook opposes this type of personals-ad use, so the group was taken down.
KKK group
Facebook recently shut down a group called the 'Isle of Man KKK.' The group called for the elimination of newcomers from the UK island and featured a picture of a hooded Ku Klux Klan member. Thankfully, Facebook's terms of service prohibits content that is hateful or threatening.



Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Heimbachae said 7:45AM on 6-04-2009
i'm not all about self promotion of cancer, so say i had to show a scar from my testicular cancer surgery... i THINK it'd be taken off pretty quickly.
Reply
spacegirlonearth said 8:00AM on 6-07-2009
Yes they would, but its pretty safe to say if she had pictures of her CERVICAL cancer they'd take those down as well. A chest is not grotesque or vulgar unless promoted with that intention unlike someone's naked genetalia. Infact, anyone ever heard of cleavage?? that's more sexual than a picture of the space where a breasted USED to be. sicko.
Susie said 9:53AM on 6-07-2009
FaceBook is ridiculous. They boot you off their site, do not give any reason why, and keep you off for Lord knows how long. They do not offer you any explanation, they are like a freaking dictator. They do not post any specific rules, and expect you to know what they are, then the only way you get any response from them is from a robot, go figure.. They need to be monitored very closely. Also, I have seen porn pics and women talking very sexually explicit, but do they get banned??? Hell no.
Heimbachae said 7:17AM on 6-08-2009
ah the magic of internet, the power to downvote a cancer survivor. no wonder i keep this crap to myself. bye bye!
Chad said 9:24AM on 6-04-2009
Well they have definitely put a spotlight on her cause now.
Reply
John said 2:41PM on 6-07-2009
No matter what kind of Distraction and Disinformation news the Compromised and controlled Media throws in front of you,.... NEVER, NEVER take your eyes off of the Criminal Elite Filth in Washington and Public Authority. --- Washington Child Sex Scandal: = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bHD8yeFSoE
Reply
Bert Lindsey said 7:25AM on 6-07-2009
Facebook:
that you "...have too many pictures..."....POOR EXCUSE...that is you Business.
Incredible!!!!
Reply
craig said 7:36AM on 6-07-2009
I totally agree with facebook to ban these photos. No woman should be showing pics online of her bare chest, whether she's had surgery or not. It should not be viewed by children. Has nothing at all to do with the fact she had a mastectomy. Kids should not see pics of bare breasts.
Reply
spacegirlonearth said 7:57AM on 6-07-2009
Rediculous! if you're so worried about your children seeing the pictures, it's called MONITORING. that's what parents do. Otherwise, they're probably already looking at the loads of women of pornography anyway! it's all over the net! MASTECTOMY PICTURES are not sexual or inappropriate in any way. infact, i'm sure there are children of women who have had mastectomies that use the net. get over it, grow up loser.
jshafver said 9:43AM on 6-07-2009
She was covering one breast and showing the scar on the removed breast so women will get themselves checked. Facebook has a policy that you must be at least 13 to join the site. Sure, some 13-year-olds aren't mature enough to view that content, but why are those kids checking out breast cancer in the first place? As a parent, it's your job to monitor what your child does online. I'm sure your browser has parental controls; figure out how to use them if you're so worried. You might want to check out your kids' biology textbooks while you're at it; when I was 13, there were pictures of male and female reproductive organs.
Kathy McNally said 9:44AM on 6-07-2009
Craig: USA Is the only country that women wear bathing suit tops. Almost all countries women swim topless. Cows have tits, Female dogs have tits, and so on and so forth. Then keep all National Geographic books out of libraries???
ronzee said 11:00AM on 6-27-2009
First off, you have to be someones friend to view their pictures, so little kids aren't able to see then unless they know the person. Secondly, when is a womans chest vulgar? Grow up, and get off your high horse you prude!
lumin8d2 said 10:57AM on 6-07-2009
@Craig
It is ridiculous for you to argue about children seeing these pictures. These pictures are not sexual in nature, at all. These are pictures of a human body and what kind of effects something like breast cancer has on it. If your child (i'm assuming that you have one, since that is the basis of your argument) does not know what the human body looks like then I feel you are not doing your job as a parent. There is absolutely nothing wrong with educating kids about their bodies, maybe we will be able to get people to notice when something isn't right with their body if they know what it's supposed to be like? Just a thought, maybe i'm insane.
I feel that we are too occupied in "protecting" everyone that we forgot that they need to learn for themselves, or else what do they do about it when "we" aren't around to tell them the answer?
Oh yeah, I remember why I started this now. I meant to tell you that if you don't know about the privacy settings available on facebook, then you should look into them if you are that worried about "kids" seeing these pictures. There is an option that does not allow people under 18 to view your profile. I think as adults it is our responsibility to make sure that option is set to the right choice for each of our profiles. Mine doesn't allow kids to access it. I know some of the things I write might not be appropriate for all ages, so I chose to exclude them. It was easy.
rockerchick38 said 1:08PM on 6-07-2009
If she had a mastectomy, there is no breast you jerk! Men can show there chest anytime they want and it's not an issue, would you have felt better if it was a man who had breast cancer and was showing off his mastectomy scar?. Leave her alone she's been thru enough!
I have seen way worse things on the internet, disturbing things, but a woman who is showing her scars from a hard fought battle is not among those disturbing things, your comments...disturbing!
devyn said 5:36PM on 6-07-2009
Yeah, because bare breasts are so unnatural and an evil thing, that will corrupt a childs soul and make them bleed out of their ears.
If your a parent, don't let society do the parenting for you, because that makes you a lazy bastard.
gerrihan65 said 12:04PM on 6-09-2009
You sound very immature. Most children I know would see that picture and ask their mothers about the scar. Only adults seem to have an issue with this. Children are open to learning about many things. Our hang-ups imprint on them and close the door to their desire to learn.
Breasts are not a dirty thing. If you see them that way, your parents raised you to be uncomfortable with the human body. Don't project your issues on all children. They have a greater capacity to accept circumstances than you believe.
mike said 8:26AM on 6-07-2009
I saw the pics and was like yikes!!!!!!!!
Reply
whitecateddie1 said 8:24AM on 6-07-2009
cancer is brutal; its up to an adult if we wish to share such a tragedy. Some people feel better and hope it helps to donate or fight against cancer more. Who knows. Its just sad. In Europe, they wouldn't be having this discussion because they look at nudity as a chest as normal. USA is all about sex isn't it. But that's Americans..we're all about sex. I'm not but most are.
Reply
Jamie said 10:24AM on 6-07-2009
Oh get over it. You people who feel the need to shelter children from the human anatomy are out of touch. My parents were such prudes that I was in the 7th grade before I even knew that girls had a vagina. The humiliation from the other kids when they found this out was much more traumatic than seeing a boob.
Reply
GunnyGirl6 said 10:45AM on 6-07-2009
Facebook has every reason to remove anything "nakked" from his site. It or they have no clue who why where the pictures come from.They removed them until they investigated what the heck WHO the heck. Millions of chatters online daily and half are pervs,creepys, & idiots. I back Facebook on this one. Remember we have no many millions online a day with many cultures SOME might find the pictures derogatory and others will just say Ah heck.. I know someone with breast cancer. Alot of sites to share her story on with other surviviors, She didnt have to just paiste it in middle of Facebook.
Reply