The popular platforms, which are both owned by Facebook, banned the aubergine and peach emojis, as well as the water drip.
The company says it is part of the changes in Facebook’s Sexual Solicitation Community Standards, aimed at sex workers who use the platforms to sell their services.
The emojis will still be allowed in the captions, but not to represent anything remotely sexual.
Facebook said:
“People use Facebook to discuss and draw attention to sexual violence and exploitation. We recognize the importance of and want to allow for this discussion.
“We draw the line, however, when content facilitates, encourages or coordinates sexual encounters between adults.
“We also restrict sexually explicit language that may lead to solicitation because some audiences within our global community may be sensitive to this type of content and it may impede the ability for people to connect with their friends and the broader community.”
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