Instagram’s automated moderation and "breast-squeezing" policy caused the repeated removal of images featuring Black plus-size model Nyome Nicholas-Williams, sparking allegations of racial and body-type bias while similar images of slim, white women remained on the platform.

Despite Nyome Nicholas-Williams' images being tasteful and covering her breasts, Instagram's actions led to significant distress for her and raised questions about the platform's content moderation practices and potential biases within their approval processes.

Nicholas-Williams argued that the removals reflected a racial bias, as similar images posted by slimmer, white models like Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid remained untouched. 

In response, Instagram issued an apology acknowledging that the removals were mistakes and saying they would restore the content. 

However, Nicholas-Williams and her supporters continued to call for greater transparency and accountability regarding how content is moderated, particularly for marginalised groups. 

The situation sparked a broader movement under the hashtag #IwanttoseeNyome with advocates pushed for changes to Instagram's policies to prevent further discrimination against plus-size Black women.

Timeline ⏰

• July 2020. Nyome Nicholas-Williams and Alexandra Cameron post the "confidence" photos; Instagram removes them almost immediately.

• August 2020. The #IWantToSeeNyome campaign goes viral as users repost the images and face similar censorship.

• September 2020: Open letter signed by celebrities and activists is sent to Instagram/Facebook leadership demanding policy reform. 

• November 2020. Instagram owner Meta updates its nudity policy.

Research, advocacy 🧮

• Change.org. Stop taking plus size models photos down on Instagram!

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-technology-racism-idUSKBN2622AA

• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/09/instagrams-censorship-of-black-models-photo-shoot-reignites-claims-of-race-bias-nyome-nicholas-williams

• https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/nyome-nicholas-williams-accuses-instagram-removing-photo-black-plus-size-190021329.html

• https://www.newsweek.com/instagram-changes-nudity-policy-after-deleting-black-plus-size-models-photo-1542176

• https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-nudity-policy-change-nyome-nicholas-williams-breast-squeezing-2020-10

• https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/instagram-apologises-for-removing-images-of-black-british-model-20200912-p55v0n.html

• https://mashable.com/article/instagram-breast-squeezing-policy-nyome-nicholas-williams/?europe=true

• https://www.engadget.com/instagram-nudity-policy-change-204903089.html

• https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/celebrity/instagram-semi-nudity-policy-change-curvynyome-nyome-nicholas-williams-a4530486.html