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This article was published on May 29, 2009

Facebook U-turn on breast cancer patient’s photos after user complaints


Facebook U-turn on breast cancer patient’s photos after user complaints
Zee
Story by

Zee

Former CEO of The Next Web. A fan of startups, entrepreneurship, getting things done faster, penning the occasional blog post, taking photos Former CEO of The Next Web. A fan of startups, entrepreneurship, getting things done faster, penning the occasional blog post, taking photos, designing, listening to good music and making lurrrve.

sharon-adamsbluredFollowing her masectomy, Sharon Adams, aiming to raise awareness of breast cancer, posted photographs of her scar on Facebook.

The mother of four also described the ordeal in detail, and encouraged other women to visit the doctor for regular check ups.

Within a few hours however, Facebook had removed the photos, describing them as sexual and abusive.

Users immediately revolted, with hundreds joining a group for the ban to be lifted.

For Facebook to claim they were sexual and abusive was absurd. Facebook has online groups about sexual positions and some groups which are bordering on racist – but they ban this.’ Sharon Adams said yesterday.

Facebook today  has admitted that it made a mistake. A spokesman said: ‘

“Our user operations team reviews thousands of reported photos a day and may occasionally remove something-that doesn’t actually violate our policies. This is what happened here. We apologise.”

Bravo Facebook.

Note. The only reason why the photo is blurred here is if you happen to be at work where such an image may be inappropriate. You can view the unblurred(?) image here.

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