What is a woman allowed to do on Instagram?: Heidi Klum leaves her flank dangerously open

What are women allowed to do on Instagram?
Heidi Klum leaves flank dangerously open

14.09.2024, 21:42

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The fact that male nipples are often visible on Instagram, but female ones are not, is a hotly debated topic. Heidi Klum shows hers once on a weekend – and gives a glimpse of them in another post. Both men apply different rules.

Heidi Klum has revealed a few things this weekend – and, with regard to showing her nipples, has also explored the limits of a social medium – whether consciously or unconsciously. But let's start with the reality outside of social media: The 51-year-old first appeared at several events in Los Angeles in an exciting outfit. Among other things, she walked the red carpet in West Hollywood at the “Emmy Nominees Night” of “The Hollywood Reporter” and an actors' union.

At the event, she presented a glittering animal print mini dress that ended a few centimeters above the model's knees. The halterneck-style outfit shines in gold, brown and black tones and offers deep glimpses from the side, as can be seen in an Insta photo gallery, among other places.

After the event, she used the social media platform to provide a wider audience with deep insights. Whether she intended it or not, she is moving within the boundaries of the community guidelines. But what is actually allowed, or in this case, what is stipulated by the company responsible for Instagram?

What are the rules?

Non-male nipples are often still taboo for large internet companies – and there have already been protests against this. Meta, which owns Instagram, says it restricts “the depiction of female breasts when the nipples are visible.” However, images that depict protests or women breastfeeding, or photos of scarring after breast amputations, are permitted.

As usual, Klum is quite self-confident about her body in her animal outfit. In terms of community guidelines, she is probably pushing the boundaries. In one picture, it is not entirely clear whether a nipple has been made unrecognizable through image editing – or whether the picture is simply a little blurry.

In another case, it is clearer at first glance that her photo should be within the guidelines. On Friday, Klum shared a photo that photographer Mario Sorrenti took of her lap. In the black and white image, her breasts are clearly visible.

“Real works of art” permitted

Meta's “Transparency Center” writes for similar cases: “We also allow real works of art that show nude figures, such as photos of paintings, sculptures, etc.” Now, Klum's post does not show a photo of a painting, but an original artistic photo itself. Perhaps it is more about a passage in the English-language rules that explains what should only be shown to users over the age of 16, namely “images that show near-nudity, for example nudity that is only covered by a digital overlay or an opaque object, and nudity that is covered by transparent clothing.

There is still some confusion in formal legal terms. In any case, Klum's contributions can serve as an example for discussion about what is allowed and where the limits lie, or where more equality needs to be established.

The party before the Emmys was not the only event that Heidi Klum attended in her animal outfit. She was also photographed in this look at an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of “People” magazine.

In Hollywood, the Emmy weekend is currently being celebrated with numerous events. The Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony – the most important television award in the United States – will take place on Sunday (September 15). The series “Shōgun” received 25 nominations in advance, followed by “The Bear” with 23 nominations.