SKIMS advertises pubic hair underwear on Instagram while adult creators get banned

SKIMS recently announced its provocative new product, 'The Ultimate Bush' faux hair panties, on Instagram, using tongue-in-cheek marketing that mirrors previous controversial launches like the nipple bra. This launch serves to highlight the significant hypocrisy in Instagram's content moderation policies, which frequently penalize marginalized creators, including sex workers and LGBTQ advocates, through shadowbanning or account disabling. These creators have long argued that rules against nudity and sexual solicitation are selectively enforced against them, even when their content adheres to guidelines. In contrast, major accounts like those associated with the Kardashians and SKIMS can post highly suggestive material without any penalty from the platform. Researchers have noted this double standard, suggesting that celebrity status grants immunity from moderation rules that severely impact non-celebrity users. The immediate sell-out of the $32 underwear suggests the marketing was highly effective, further emphasizing the disparity in visibility allowed by the platform.