UK medical tattooists are reporting a persistent struggle with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, as their posts featuring restorative nipple tattoos are frequently flagged for violating content policies. These vital services, offered to individuals who have undergone breast cancer treatment, are being mistakenly categorised as nudity or pornography by Meta's algorithms, leading to significant disruption for small businesses and the wider community.
Emma Roberts, a former nurse who now provides free nipple tattoos to breast cancer survivors, highlighted the challenges, stating that her work is repeatedly mistaken for nudity. She explained how this has forced her to create multiple social media pages due to content being flagged and, in some instances, her accounts being permanently removed. Ms Roberts also noted that specific medical terminology, such as 'boob', 'areola', 'mastectomy', or 'breast', can trigger automatic flagging, further impeding communication and access to information for those seeking her services.
The broader issue of censoring clinical images and medical terminology related to women's bodies on social media was brought before Parliament on 21 May by Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central. Ms Darlington described the situation as 'algorithmic sexism,' asserting that it harms education, charities, and businesses, reinforces stigma, and potentially endangers women's lives. She emphasised the lack of clear communication from platforms when content is removed, leaving users without accountability for the censorship.
Vicky Martin, a medical tattooist from Reading with 25 years of experience, shared her own difficulties, having faced restrictions and 'shadow bans' on Facebook since 2016. Ms Martin recounted instances where her pictures were deemed pornographic, and her appeals went unanswered, severely limiting her ability to connect with potential clients. This frustration culminated in a protest outside Meta's London headquarters in 2019, where she was joined by other tattooists, surgeons, and breast cancer survivors to raise awareness of the issue.
The economic impact on these UK businesses is considerable. Reliance on social media for marketing and client outreach is crucial for many small enterprises, particularly those offering specialised medical services. When posts are removed or accounts restricted, their visibility collapses, engagement disappears, and potential clients cannot find them. This forces businesses to depend on less efficient methods like word-of-mouth, potentially limiting their growth and the reach of essential services to those who need them most.