Gender-Based Censorship of Sexual and Reproductive Health Content by Online Platforms
CIJ is preparing for litigation enforcing the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) to address gender-based censorship by Meta platforms and other Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). CIJ found that Meta systematically suppresses information about women’s sexual and reproductive health, misclassifying it as “sexual/adult” despite allowing mass erectile dysfunction and men’s health ads.
CIJ will look at the most effective course to pursue regulatory action under the EU Digital Services Act to address gender-biased censorship of women and people of diverse genders’ sexual and reproductive health information to provide relief to women’s health entities and users within the European Union.
The litigation objectives are to pursue and call for relief that could lead to Meta:
(1) improving its algorithms to stop wrongly rejecting information about women’s health (that Meta currently misclassifies as “adult” or “sexual”) so systemically; or
(2) creating fair, beneficial verification systems that allow women’s health companies to be verified as providing sexual health/wellness or reproductive health information – and that allow these groups to share information.
Gender-Based Censorship of Sexual and Reproductive Health Content by Online Platforms
Organisation Name
Center for Intimacy Justice (CIJ)
Country/Jurisdiction
Regional
Grant Amount
EUR 30,000
Current Status
Ongoing
Image credit: Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Grant type
Pre-litigation Research Support
Description
CIJ is preparing for litigation enforcing the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) to address gender-based censorship by Meta platforms and other Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). CIJ found that Meta systematically suppresses information about women’s sexual and reproductive health, misclassifying it as “sexual/adult” despite allowing mass erectile dysfunction and men’s health ads.
CIJ will look at the most effective course to pursue regulatory action under the EU Digital Services Act to address gender-biased censorship of women and people of diverse genders’ sexual and reproductive health information to provide relief to women’s health entities and users within the European Union.
The litigation objectives are to pursue and call for relief that could lead to Meta:
- improving its algorithms to stop wrongly rejecting information about women’s health (that Meta currently misclassifies as “adult” or “sexual”) so systemically; or
- creating fair, beneficial verification systems that allow women’s health companies to be verified as providing sexual health/wellness or reproductive health information – and that allow these groups to share information.
"CIJ found that Meta systematically suppresses information about women’s sexual and reproductive health, misclassifying it as “sexual/adult”"
Strategic Goal
Increase access to information about topics that are currently censored frequently by Meta, which include: menopause, fertility, menstrual health, endometriosis, pelvic pain, contraception, abortion, sexual health education, sexual wellness, and many other topics. Beyond increasing access to information, changing discriminatory suppression of these topics will also allow NGOs that support sexual health to serve and reach more people – and will support the impact and growth of women’s health organizations and businesses, including many that are led by women and nonbinary people.