Pinterest bans pro-life advocacy group over 'harmful misinformation'

 (Photo: Unsplash/Szabo Viktor)

Pro-life group Live Action has been banned by Pinterest for allegedly spreading "harmful misinformation". 

In response, Live Action has accused the photo sharing platform of "trying to secretly and dishonestly censor free expression". 

An anonymous whistleblower at the company told Project Veritas that "LiveAction.org" was added by Pinterest to its "p*rnography block list".

When a site is added to the block list, users cannot create pins that link to it. 

Pinterest, which has 300 million monthly users, told Buzzfeed that the adult label was a "legacy" name for the list of banned websites and that this would now be updated to reflect the fact that the list has expanded to include different categories of content.

It told Buzzfeed that LiveAction was suspended for "misinformation related to conspiracies and anti-vaccination advice, and not p*rn". 

LiveAction says it was informed by Pinterest that it had been "permanently suspended because its contents went against our policies on misinformation" and because the social media giant believes that the group spreads "medical misinformation and conspiracies that turn individuals and facilities into targets for harassment and violence".

Live Action founder and president, Lila Rose, said that the group was retained on the p*rn block list even after it complained to Pinterest.

She accused Pinterest of "secretly censoring" and trying to "suppress" the group's pro-life content on the platform. 

"We have more questions than answers about Pinterest's censorship of Live Action and the pro-life message," she said. 

"By secretly applying the label of 'p**nography' to Live Action's pro-life content, Pinterest demonstrates a concerted effort to sideline a leading pro-life organization the only way they knew how.

"This does not appear to be a simple mistake."

She continued: "Pinterest users deserve to know the truth and our messages deserve to be treated fairly. If Planned Parenthood can promote their message on Pinterest, then Live Action should be able to as well.

"Pinterest trying to secretly and dishonestly censor free expression is every Pinterester's worst nightmare. We urge them to allow free expression on their platform and to stop censoring Live Action's pro-life message."

A fundraising campaign on Facebook to promote LiveAction's content on other social media channels has so far raised over £10,139.

News
Pope seeks prayers for peace in Christmas Day message
Pope seeks prayers for peace in Christmas Day message

The Pope asked people to pray in particular for the "tormented people of Ukraine" in his Christmas Day 'Urbi et Orbi' message. 

Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?
Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?

The carol says, “Good King Wenceslas last looked out on the Feast of Stephen.” In many countries, December 26, also known as Boxing Day, is better known as St Stephen’s Day. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. This is the story …

King Charles reflects on pilgrimage, reconciliation and hope in Christmas Day address
King Charles reflects on pilgrimage, reconciliation and hope in Christmas Day address

King Charles III used his Christmas Day speech to reflect on the significance of pilgrimage as he appealed to the nation "to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation". 

2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book
2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book

One of the most-studied Bible verses of the year is from 2 Timothy in the New Testament, according to an analysis of millions of Bible study sessions that tracked how believers worldwide are engaging with Scripture.