Instagram is eliminating all augmented reality (AR) filters that represent or promote cosmetic surgery, amid concerns that harm people’s mental health.
The effects that make people look as if they had injected their lips, fillings, or a facelift will be among those forbidden.
Research suggests that filters that change the face can make people feel worse because of their appearance.
Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, said the ban was about promoting wellness.
“We are reassessing our policies, we want our filters to be a positive experience for people,” said a spokesman.
“While we reevaluate our policies, we will eliminate all the effects of the [effects] gallery associated with plastic surgery, stop the approval of new effects like this, and eliminate the current effects if we are informed.”
In August, an update to the Instagram application allowed users to create their own virtual effects. It included things such as animations and custom facial filters, which can be superimposed on images and videos.
Many popular filters, such as Plastic, mimicked the effects of extreme cosmetic surgery.
Another filter, FixMe, showed how an aesthetic surgeon marked a person’s face before the procedure.
Its creator, Daniel Mooney, told the BBC: “FixMe was supposed to be only a critique of plastic surgery, showing how unattractive the process with the marks and bruises is.
“My intention was not to show a ‘perfect’ image, as you can see in the final result. Perfection is overrated.
“I can see where Instagram comes from, but as long as some of the most followed accounts on Instagram are from ‘surgically’ improved people, the removal of surgery filters really won’t change that much.”
Instagram said it was not sure how long it would take to remove all filters, but many users thanked the ban.
“Most people simply pass the filters as’ girls having fun ‘and just let the girls enjoy things, but when you haven’t published a photo without one of these filters since 2016, then it’s clearly something deeper than just’ fun ‘, “said a user on Twitter.
However, some users said they would miss the effects.
“Instagram has also considered me and what I am supposed to do when I have a day when I look more applauded than normal. Old demarcates witches should also look impressive,” one tweeted.
In February, Instagram said it would remove all graphic images of self-harm from the platform. It has gone through amid concerns that they could affect young and vulnerable people.
It followed the death of Molly Russell, 14, who committed suicide in 2017 after seeing graphic images of self-harm on the site.
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