Our Ref:         FOI-0169-1920

Thank you for your request received on 15 April 2019 asking for information about body-shaming adverts.
 
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
 
Can you tell me, since Transport for London introduced its ban on body shaming ads running across the TfL estate https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/assembly/caroline-russell/latest-body-shaming-tube-ads-should-be-torn-down the following information please?
 
1. How many adverts have been banned by TfL which TfL have judged breach the rules on body-shaming?
2. For each of the banned adverts, can you list me the name of the advertiser and the name of the advert?
3. Can you also tell me on what particular grounds the advert was judged to be in breach of the rules? And can you also tell me where the adverts were supposed to have run? i.e., underground? bus shelter? taxis?
 
As of 2016, we no longer allows advertisements which could reasonably be seen as likely to cause pressure to conform to an unrealistic or unhealthy body shape, or as likely to create body confidence issues, particularly among young people. The Mayor also established an Advertising Steering Group to monitor our approach to advertising and to keep our policy under regular review, ensuring that the advertisements seen on our network are appropriate for our diverse audiences.
 
There were six campaigns submitted to us that were originally refused on the basis of clause 2.3 (d) of our Advertising Policy.
 
This clause states that campaigns can be refused if they “could reasonably be seen as likely to cause pressure to conform to an unrealistic or unhealthy body shape, or as likely to create body confidence issues particularly among young people;”.
 
We always work with advertisers to amend their copy if it does not comply with our advertising policy. In five out of six of these cases, alternative copy was approved to run on our network.
 
These six campaigns were by:
 
• Tooting Medical Centre – scheduled to run on the London Underground
• Gymbox – scheduled to run on the London Underground
• Harley Medical – scheduled to run on the London Underground
• Versace – scheduled to run on the London Underground
• Revolution – scheduled to run on the London Underground
• Net-A-Porter – scheduled to run on the London Underground 
 
We only hold information on the name of the campaign, which is what is given above, not the name of the advert. We do not hold further details on the grounds of why the advertisement breached the Policy, only the clause.
 
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
 
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]