How Abortion Information is Restricted Online
Digital suppression of information can consist of a wide array of actions that ultimately limit the visibility or availability of abortion information in digital spaces.
In the past few years, our coalition co-chairs, member organizations, and those working within the field of reproductive rights have worked in partnership to gather evidence of the different types of content suppression.
Here are 3 ways social media companies restrict your access to abortion information:
Download our guide here.
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Reproductive health and rights organizations, influencers, and creatives are increasingly reporting their abortion content being removed for “violating community guidelines”, even if the content of the post is not violative. This has been particularly prevalent on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Some of the content removed from social media includes posts on how to access abortion pills, websites with logistical support resources for people living in states that ban abortion, and content that details the World Health Organization’s recommended protocol on how to have an abortion with pills.
Abortion content removed from social media often discusses medication abortion (abortion with pills) and how to access it- a particularly concerning trend, given that medication abortion is the most common and accessible form of abortion in the U.S., and constantly under attack by anti-abortion legislators. -
In the most extreme cases, organizations and individuals have their accounts suspended with little to no explanation, which fully limits their ability to share information about abortion and how to access it.
Sometimes they face multiple account suspensions, and because of this, they create “backup” accounts to ensure they can still reach their followers if their primary account is not reinstated by the platform.
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Some social media platforms outright ban organizations from advertising abortion services.
For example, TikTok has stated that advertisements for abortion services are prohibited under their "Unsuitable Businesses, Products, or Services" policy.
Referring to reproductive health services as “unsuitable” is deeply stigmatizing, and reinforces the idea that abortion is inherently inappropriate to be advertised publicly, which deepens negative biases against abortion.
What are the impacts of restricting abortion information?
When restrictions are placed on abortion information and advertising, access to free and vital reproductive health resources is severely constrained.
These limitations hinder online abortion providers, abortion funds, hotlines, and community networks from reaching abortion-seekers who may not even realize that medication abortion is an option.
Small reproductive health nonprofits, often operating with limited staff, face the added burden of navigating lengthy appeals processes while grappling with how decreased visibility on social media will affect their work. Influencers often also rely on their platforms for their livelihood, so content suppression and account suspensions threaten both their advocacy efforts and their income.
Ultimately, these restrictions push abortion out of the public discourse, contributing to a broader digital silencing around this critical issue and perpetuating abortion stigma.
Everybody has the right to access unbiased and medically accurate information on abortion. Blocking or creating barriers to abortion information violate or threaten the right to information, the right to health, the right to equality and non-discrimination, and the right to bodily autonomy.
When tech companies remove abortion-related information, they can intensify barriers to accessing information on how to have an abortion, which can delay access to care or prevent people from accessing timely care altogether. This disproportionately impacts marginalized groups and youth, who often face the greatest challenges in accessing reproductive healthcare and are most affected by these additional barriers.
Take action: Report an Incident with Repro Uncensored
Repro Uncensored is a global coalition of reproductive health organizations, internet freedom advocates, and creatives dedicated to ensuring universal access to accurate information on reproductive health and abortion.
If you or your organization have experienced the removal of content related to reproductive health and rights and/or abortion access, please report an incident: reprouncensored.org/report-incident