Nude Image In 19th Century Painting Lands Facebook In Trouble

Facebook Doesn't Want You To Post This Nude 19th Century Painting

Five years ago, Facebook landed itself in hot water after suspending an account over a post containing a 19th-century nude painting.

A 55-year-old Parisian teacher had his account suspended after posting a picture of Gustave Courbet’s 1866 painting The Origin of the World, which shows a vagina.

Durand-Baissas believes Facebook's decision is an act of censorship and has been suing the company for €20,000 ($22,500) in damages.

The social media giant defended itself by saying the lawsuit was without merit as all cases needed to be heard in a specific court in California, where Facebook's headquarters are.

However, an appeals court has now upheld a decision to let French courts hear cases concerning French users. This sets a legal precedent in the country, where Facebook has more than 30 million users.

The lawyer representing the teacher told the Associated Press: “This is a great satisfaction and a great victory after five years of legal action.”

Stephane Cottineau said: “On one hand, Facebook shows a total permissiveness regarding violence and ideas conveyed on the social network. And on the other hand, [it] shows an extreme prudishness regarding the body and nudity."

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