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Your Instagram feed is about to look a little different, although the goal is that those you follow won't. Last week, Spark AR, the company responsible for many of Instagram's face filters, announced it would be removing "all effects associated with plastic surgery from the Instagram Effect Gallery." Its Facebook post also confirmed that approval on any new effects that could be considered plastic-surgery-like would be postponed. Spark AR has not released specifically which filters it is responsible for, or which ones would be removed.
This shift means that the company will "remove policy-violating effects as they are identified." While there is no specific timeline for when the policy will be implemented, it will likely target user-generated face filters including, "Plastica," "Bad Botox," and a literal filter called "Fix Me," complete with sharpie surgical markings.
However, other popular filters will still be permitted on the app, meaning Kylie Jenner can don puppy ears with Stormi should the mood strike. And royal fans can still adorn Meghan Markle with crown filters at public engagements.
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The banning of plastic surgery-like filters is the latest in changes out of Instagram. Last month, the platform restricted posts that promoted weight-loss products and cosmetic surgery. In some countries, IG is even testing removing the 'like' function on posts.
At the start of Spark AR's Facebook post, the brand stated that they wanted its effects "to be a positive experience" and that its team would be "re-evaluating our existing policies as they relate to well-being." A social media company valuing its users' well-being? For fall? Sadly, it is groundbreaking.
