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Woman breastfeeding

Mothers around the world have clubbed together to protest against Facebook after it removed thousands of photos of them breastfeeding, classifying the images as ‘obscene content’.

Women worldwide have rallied against the policy, and some have even picketed the Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, California – under the banner of the Mothers International Lactation Campaign.

The group states the policy stigmatises breastfeeding and demeans women

Over 82,000 people have joined a Facebook petition group, ‘Hey Facebook, Breastfeeding is not Obscene’, with hundreds joining every hour.

The social networking site insists it takes no action over hundreds of breastfeeding photos, but images that depict nipples are indecent and have to be removed.

Facebook spokesperson, Barry Schnitt, said: ‘We agree that breastfeeding is natural and beautiful and we're very glad to know that it is so important to some mothers to share this experience with others on Facebook.’

But, he added, some photos were removed to ensure the site remains safe and secure for all users, including children.

‘Photos containing a fully exposed breast - as defined by showing the nipple or areola - do violate those terms on obscene, pornographic or sexually explicit material and may be removed,'he said.

‘The photos we act upon are almost exclusively brought to our attention by other users who complain.’

But many mums have been left reeling, suggesting that breastfeeding, in any form, should not be bracketed with pornography.

Tuesday 30 December 2008