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It’s no secret that when it comes to removing content or deeming content unsuitable, Facebook’s rules are often unclear, and at times seemingly absurd.

Most recently, the company’s independent Oversight Board announced that one of the issues it would be tackling is policies towards breasts and nipples, yet again, following an image posted by a user in Brazil to create breast cancer awareness.

The battle between Facebook and the nipple has been ongoing for years now.

The image showed a collage of eight photographs showing breast cancer, with explanations under each one outlining the symptoms thereof.

Five of these photos showed exposed nipples, and the collage image was unceremoniously removed as it supposedly violated Facebook’s policies.

VICE obtained leaked documents showcasing said policies, and to say that they’re odd and confused is a real understatement:

Image: VICE

In October, Facebook released an updated policy titled “Clarify Grabbing Covering in Breast Squeezing Policy”. The leaked documents explain what is and isn’t allowed on the site.

“Squeezing occurs when: there is clear indentation (e.g. dents, imprints, depressions, marks, etc.) on the female breast or clothing caused by curved fingers in a grabbing motion AND there is a clear shape change of the breast by curved fingers in a grabbing motion.”

Observe:

Image: VICE

The policy then gets even more specific about breast squeezing.

Here’s what’s allowed:

Image: VICE

And this is a giant ‘nope’ from the company:

Image: VICE

Confused? Yeah, me too.

“Covering, cupping, or pressing the breast with palms or straight fingers”, is fine, so long as there is no “grabbing motion on the female breast or clothing.”

Using straps to pull breasts together is also fine, and “if fully clothed the imagery only violates if another person is present in the imagery squeezing the female breast”.

Men are free to squeeze, poke, and do whatever they want, including exposing their nipples at will.

To offset the horror that is Facebook’s attempts to deal with breasts, let’s take a minute to raise some awareness about breast cancer.

Cases of breast cancer have been on the rise, and conducting regular breast exams is more important than ever.

Here’s a simple diagram explaining how to go about that:

Image: PinkPose

You can find out more about breast cancer, or make a donation to the Breast Health Foundation, a not-for-profit established to educate the public on breast cancer and breast health, increase awareness, and empower women, here.

[source:vice]