The man behind a body positive Instagram account that encourages followers to share naked snaps of themselves enjoying the great outdoors says it’s been ‘shadow banned’ by the network.
Brendan Jones, 27, from Sydney, launched his Get Naked Australia feed in June 2016, and has built up a 222K following with his snaps of nude hikers of all ages, shapes and sizes, posing against an array of picturesque backdrops.
But now Brendan says the account has been flagged as potentially inappropriate by Instagram, which he says has ‘shadow banned’ the feed – meaning no one who doesn’t already follow Get Naked Australia would be able to find it by searching.
And now the healthcare professional fears the page could shut after hashtag GetNakedAustralia was barred – despite only featuring photos from behind with no explicit nudity.
The Instagrammer is frustrated accounts featuring pornographic images and videos remain active, arguing that his posts desexualize the human body and are not inappropriate.
Instaban: Brendan Jones, 27, from Sydney, reveals his viral body confidence Instagram account could be forced to close after their hashtag was banned for inappropriate content
The healthcare professional fears the page could shut after hashtag GetNakedAustralia was barred – despite only featuring photos from behind with no explicit nudity
Brendan said: ‘All last year we were growing by 1,000 followers a week, then suddenly it stopped.
‘I asked Instagram why this was happening, and got a notification saying the hashtag had been hidden because content did not meet Instagram’s community guidelines.
‘It baffles me how Get Naked Australia is getting banned yet there are so many pages out there posting graphic pornographic content and sexually objectifying photos and videos.
‘We are being restricted in sharing our fun, body positive message while these accounts are still allowed to exist and are not getting banned or shut down.
The Instagrammer is frustrated accounts featuring pornographic images and videos remain active, arguing that his posts desexualize the human body and are not inappropriate
Brendan, from Sydney, also claims his account has been ‘shadow banned’ by the social media giant, meaning no one outside his 222,000 followers can now find his posts
‘There is no way our page is inappropriate – bare bums are shown in PG Hollywood movies.
‘But if bums are so inappropriate and what we do is so wrong, why aren’t those more explicit pages shut down too?’
Brendan said he first realised last week his account had been ‘shadow banned’ – an unofficial term meaning his posts no longer show up in hashtag searches
His account’s pictures are now not discoverable to anyone who is not already following Get Naked Australia
When he complained to Instagram, he received a warning stating ‘recent posts from Get Naked Australia are currently hidden because the community has reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s community guidelines’.
He said: ‘I love Instagram and it is how our message has reached so many people, but I just do not see how anyone could view our content as inappropriate.
‘At this stage, it now seems inevitable Instagram will shut us down. This may be because we don’t pay them?
‘It’s the only explanation I can see, considering the other disgusting pages which are allowed to exist.
‘We are working on an alternative page to basically start again if the worst does happen.’
When he complained to Instagram, he received a warning stating ‘recent posts from Get Naked Australia are currently hidden
The warning stated this was because the community reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s community guidelines’
Brendan launched Get Naked Australia after making a joke naked calendar for his fiancée – but he was soon being inundated with up to 20 photos imitating his stunts every day.
The profile posts photos of naked walkers posing in front of stunning mountains waterfalls and beaches with their backs to the camera – meaning explicit nudity is never featured.
Brendan said the page has been credited with changing lives by helping people step out of their comfort zones and feel confident in their own skin.
Other hashtags he uses when sharing photos include #bodypositivity, #lovetheskinyourein and #itsjustabum.
Brendan launched Get Naked Australia after making a joke naked calendar for his fiancée – but was soon being inundated with up to 20 photos imitating his stunts every day
The profile posts photos of naked walkers posing in front of stunning mountains waterfalls and beaches with their backs to the camera – meaning explicit nudity is never featured
Speaking about the account last year, Brendan said: ‘The whole nudity thing is seen as such a big deal. Everyone is so uptight and embarrassed, we all think ‘no one can see me naked’.
‘The only naked bodies we see apart from our partners or families are ones in the media and they are not accurate representations of real bodies.
‘We are very quick to be ashamed and embarrassed and feel we have to cover up.
‘So if the page is helping remove the stigma that being nude is wrong and must be sexual that can only be a good thing.
‘It’s not about exhibitionism and there is nothing sexual about it, it’s just getting in touch with nature and having a bit of fun.’
MailOnline has contacted Instagram for comment.
Brendan said the page has been credited with changing lives by helping people step out of their comfort zones and feel confident in their own skin
‘It’s not about exhibitionism and there is nothing sexual about it, it’s just getting in touch with nature and having a bit of fun,’ he argued