Instagram is an online photo-sharing platform that allows users to share photos and videos with their followers. It has become increasingly popular among social media platforms due to its ease of use and accessibility to various audiences. On March 27th, 2016, Instagram announced that they would be deleting certain accounts from their system for violating community guidelines regarding sexual content. This decision was met with mixed reactions from both sides as some felt it was necessary while others argued against it. This article will explain what happened during this event, how it affected those involved, why it occurred, and what steps were taken afterward.
What Happened During The Event
In December 2015, several adult entertainment companies approached Instagram about creating an account on the app to promote their products/services. After months of negotiations and approval processes, these accounts were created and began posting images deemed too explicit for public viewing by Instagram's standards. These included full nudity or suggestive poses with little clothing covering genitalia areas. However, no pornography was posted which would have been more severe than just showing off body parts - instead of being outright sexually explicit material. Despite being approved initially by Instagram representatives, these posts led to complaints from other users who reported them to management for review leading up to deletion.
How Did This Affect Those Involved?
The removal of these accounts caused significant backlash from fans who had invested time following their favorite stars and brands before they disappeared without warning. Many were disappointed at losing updates and information they looked forward to seeing each day. Some even expressed anger over not receiving refunds despite paying for subscriptions or merchandise associated with them (e.g., DVD sets). Additionally, many people lost income opportunities due to sudden changes in business relationships where promotional content could no longer be shared through a reliable source. It is believed that some celebrities may have also suffered reputational damage as they were linked closely to these now-deleted accounts via endorsements or partnerships made previously.
Why Was This Decision Made By Instagram?
As stated earlier, sexual content violates community guidelines on Instagram regarding appropriate behavior while using its platform. The company must maintain an environment safe and welcoming for all ages while still providing accessibility to those seeking something specific such as adult entertainment services. They believe this policy protects children and families from potentially dangerous material that could expose them online if left unchecked or unmonitored too long. This decision was also likely influenced by public pressure demanding action against adult content creators operating within the app's confines illegally (i.e., no nudity allowed per TOS).
What Steps Were Taken Afterward?
After deleting several high-profile accounts associated with Hustler magazine publications (including @hustler_magazine), other steps were taken to ensure continued compliance with company policies going forward. For instance, any new account creation requests related to adult content would require approval before launching - ensuring nothing slipped past moderation processes again. In addition, more resources have been dedicated towards enforcing current rules to better detect potential violations quickly and respond appropriately when necessary. Finally, additional user education campaigns were launched informing users about acceptable use cases of the application beyond just sharing photos/videos with friends/family members only.
In conclusion, deleting numerous Hustler-affiliated accounts on March 27th, 2016, caused quite a stir in social media circles overnight due to its sudden nature without prior notice given. While some agreed it was needed based on community standards upheld by Instagram, others felt betrayed after investing time and money into these now-deleted profiles without warning. It is unclear how much effect the deletions had financially or reputationaly for those involved but hopefully led to improved policing of similar situations preventing future occurrences from taking place again.