Planned Parenthood's official Instagram account went dark on Feb. 13, removing all of its posts and uploading a cryptic Instagram story complete with suspicious eyeball emojis and an "I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me" meme.
Reproductive justice advocates and some of the health organization's major opponents, like extremist hate-peddler Libs of TikTok, quickly jumped to the idea of a possible hack, amid growing concern that major social media platforms are censoring abortion and reproductive justice accounts. Patients and users expressed worry online that the vital resources routinely posted and archived on Planned Parenthood were lost. Conservative commentators suggested the account was shutting its doors as it bowed down to the far right campaign to defund the vital clinic network.
But, the organization confirmed to Mashable that the page wasn't the latest victim of a cybersecurity breach — just a cheeky attempt to "break the internet" in the name of safe, consensual sex.
"Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Instagram went dark temporarily as we prepared to mark National Condom Week, February 14-21. Organizations and brands sometimes do this to promote something new — it’s a normal thing you’ve seen if you’ve spent any time on Beyoncé’s internet, but it sent some known opponents of Planned Parenthood’s mission spiraling," Planned Parenthood clarified in a statement to Mashable. "As the foremost sexual and reproductive health care provider in the country, Planned Parenthood will never stop working to help people get the information and care — and condoms — they need to have safe and healthy relationships. "
The Instagram page now sports two new posts: A set of tongue-in-cheek Valentine's Day cards and a guide to "flirty ways" to ask your partner to wear a condom. National Condom Week, celebrated from Feb. 14-21, is a national public service campaign encouraging safe sex and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. "This National Condom Week, Planned Parenthood is celebrating the power of condoms in making sex safer and more fun. Condoms not only protect against STIs and unintended pregnancies, but also help remove stress or worry, allowing you to relax and focus on the fun part," said Julia Bennett, senior director of Digital Education & Learning Strategy at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
The organization has confirmed that the page's previous posts will be restored following National Condom Week's close.
