Facebook censors Little Mermaid photo for nakedness and sexual suggestiveness

Politician couldn’t share her own blog post because it featured the image

The Little Mermaid statue shows “too much bare skin or sexual undertones” to be shown on Facebook, Mette Gjerskov, a Socialdemokraterne politician, found out when she tried to post to the social network a link to her blog that featured a photo of the famous Danish statue.

Didn’t see that coming
“Didn’t see that coming, that our national treasure is categorised in line with child pornography and that kind of abomination,” Gjerskov wrote on Twitter after receiving the notification from Facebook that her post had been rejected.

According to Facebook, users are not allowed to post “images of people in positions showing or suggesting sex or images of nakedness and cleavage. Not even if it has artistic or educational purposes”.

Gjerskov told Ekstra Bladet that she could see the humour in the incident but suggested that a change from Facebook may be in order.

“I can slap myself on the thigh with laughter at how ridiculously the world works, but if people don’t see it as a big joke they should get in touch with Facebook,” she said.

According to Jyllands-Posten, this is not the first time Facebook censorship has excluded Danish cultural creations thought to be inoffensive within the country’s borders. For example, the painting ‘Kvinde foran et spejl’ (woman in front of a mirror) by the Danish golden age painter CW Eckersberg was rejected when a Danish tourist organisation wanted to use it in marketing material.

Jyllands-Posten was unable to get a comment from Facebook about the Little Mermaid exclusion.




  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.