ART VS AI
PROTECT ARTISTIC EXPRESSION FROM AUTOMATED CENSORSHIP ON INSTAGRAM

Art is not a violation. Artistic expression deserves to be understood, not reduced to an algorithmic judgment.

Instagram has become an essential platform for photographers, visual artists, performers and creative professionals worldwide. For many, it is not simply a social network, but a space to exhibit their work, reach audiences and sustain their artistic careers.

However, creators increasingly face concerns about automated content moderation, including warnings, restrictions, removals and limitations on the visibility of their work.

Artistic photography, conceptual nudity, body art, performance, cultural imagery and representations of the human body often involve complex visual, symbolic and cultural contexts. These contexts cannot always be adequately understood through automated image classification alone.

The problem becomes particularly concerning when creators modify, cover or partially censor their work to comply with platform guidelines, yet still encounter restrictions or decisions they cannot adequately understand or challenge.

We recognize that Instagram has a responsibility to protect its users and enforce its content policies. However, moderation must also be transparent, consistent and capable of recognizing legitimate artistic expression.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING META AND INSTAGRAM TO DO
1. IMPROVE ARTISTIC CONTEXT RECOGNITION

Develop more reliable moderation systems capable of distinguishing artistic, educational, cultural and conceptual content from material that genuinely violates platform policies.

2. ENSURE MEANINGFUL HUMAN REVIEW

Guarantee accessible human assessment when creators appeal automated moderation decisions, particularly when artistic context has not been adequately considered.

3. INCREASE TRANSPARENCY

Clearly explain when automated systems contribute to content restrictions, removals or recommendation limitations, and identify the specific policy grounds for each decision.

4. PROTECT ARTISTIC VISIBILITY

Establish clearer and more consistent criteria for evaluating legitimate artistic content, including the distinction between content removal and restrictions on recommendation eligibility.

5. PROVIDE EFFECTIVE APPEALS

Ensure that artists have accessible, timely and meaningful procedures to challenge potentially incorrect moderation decisions.

WHY THIS MATTERS
Art has always explored the human body, identity, mythology, religion, symbolism, sexuality and the boundaries between the sacred and the profane.

These subjects are fundamental to our cultural history and contemporary visual language.

Artists should not have to compromise the integrity of their work because automated systems fail to recognize its context.

This initiative is not a demand to eliminate content moderation. It is a demand for moderation that is transparent, proportionate and respectful of artistic expression.

Technology should serve human creativity, not unnecessarily restrict it.

JOIN ART VS AI
ART VS AI is an international initiative founded by Falyriae and open to photographers, visual artists, performers, models, cultural professionals and everyone who believes in the importance of artistic freedom.

We invite you to sign this petition, share it with your community and contribute your experiences.

Together, we are calling on Meta and Instagram to take responsibility and establish better protections for artistic expression in the age of artificial intelligence.

ART IS NOT A VIOLATION.

ARTISTIC FREEDOM DESERVES PROTECTION.