Sexual use of emoji is banned from Facebook, Instagram

Recently, Facebook decided to take a formal stance against online sexual solicitation. To crack down on the issue, the social media giant has updated its Community Standards, effectively banning the use of certain emoji on Facebook and Instagram.

To be precise, Facebook has banned the use of both the eggplant and the peach emoji when used alongside various sorts of sexual content. The updated Facebook Community Standards do not target the emoji by name but instead refers to “[commonly used] sexual emoji” as the subject in question.

According to adult industry news site XBIZ (NSFW), a user’s account can be flagged or removed if any of its content falls under the vague criteria Facebook lays out in its Community Standards. Instagram clarified this process to The New York Post. The content “will only be removed from Facebook and Instagram if it contains a sexual emoji alongside an implicit or indirect ask for nude imagery, sex or sexual partners, or sex chat conversations,” said Instagram.

Facebook claims it isn’t merely taking action against the emoji, either. This new initiative is targeting nudity and sexual conversation of all sorts.

The only definitive exception to the new policy is when content draws attention to sexual violence and exploitation. That means even some of the internet’s favorite memes and gifs could get users flagged or even banned.

There is good news though. Posting these emoji regarding your Sunday farmer’s market haul won’t get you in trouble. The bad news is that according to the Community Standards, “long shots of fully nude butts” certainly will.

Read next: If you trust Facebook to deliver your news, the News tab is in public testing