Analysis

May 1, 2022

How Europe's healthtech startups are fighting Big Tech's censorship rules

Why is Big Tech such a prude?


When sexual wellness startup Vibio launched its app on the Google Play Store, it was suspended three times within the first two months. The third time Vibio’s developer account was shut down, it had to release a censored, stripped-down version of the app. The problem: it used the C word, clitoris. 

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Screenshot from one of Mojo's banned Facebook adverts. Text reads &quot;London is calling! AI-powered sperm test&quot;
Screenshot from one of Mojo's banned Facebook adverts
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One of Sanity Group's adverts that was blocked on social media, showing a woman getting a head massage
One of Sanity Group's adverts that was blocked on social media
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One of Vibio's blocked Instagram ads
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An image of adverts that have been banned by Facebook and ones that have been allowed
Credit: Center for Intimacy Justice
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Tazmxgbpudnr sesgecxpea 
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One of Mojo's billboard adverts
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