Topless Rihanna snap pushes Instagram too far

A magazine's cover image featuring a topless Rihanna was censored by Instagram.

It might seem as though we see Rihanna's bare chest more than we see our own, but the star's latest topless photoshoot has pushed Instagram over the edge.

While the singer's penchant for appearing without clothes is well-known, her most recent display of nudity violated Instagram's code of conduct.

The star shared a picture of her appearance on the cover of French magazine Lui, in which she appears in a hat and a pair of coral briefs. The image was shot by fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti.

However, nudity, partial nudity or sexually suggestive photographs are banned on Instagram and the social media platform temporarily closed her account until the risqué picture was removed.

"If you wouldn't show the photo or video you are thinking about uploading to a child, or your boss, or your parents, you probably shouldn't share it on Instagram," reads Instagram's community guidelines.

"The same rule applies to your profile photo. Accounts found sharing nudity or mature content will be disabled and your access to Instagram may be discontinued."

She then posted the below image on her page and shared the original image on her Twitter feed instead (warning: link contains explicit image).

It's a surprise that Instagram hasn't censored Rihanna's pictures before.

If nudity and "mature content" is prohibited on the social media platform, then surely her shots of herself clutching Shakira's behind in bed are questionable, as are images of her straddling a surf board - paddle placed inbetween her legs, dubious-looking cigarette in hand.

- Independent