Instagram is removing all augmented reality (AR) filters that depict or promote cosmetic surgery, amid concerns they harm people’s mental health.
Effects that make people look like they have had lip injections, fillers or a facelift will be among those banned.
Research suggests face-changing filters can make people feel worse about the way they look.
Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, said the ban was about promoting wellbeing.
“We’re re-evaluating our policies – we want our filters to be a positive experience for people,” a spokesman said.
“While we’re re-evaluating our policies, we will remove all effects from the [effects] gallery associated with plastic surgery, stop further approval of new effects like this and remove current effects if they’re reported to us.”
In August, an update to the Instagram app allowed users to create their own virtual effects, such as animations and custom face filters, that can be superimposed on images and videos.
Many popular filters – such as Plastica – mimicked the effects of extreme cosmetic surgery.
