From VICE · Luis Prada · · 50s
Kiwibank Sheep Mascot Sexualization Debate
New Zealand bank tries to remove horny memes of its green sheep mascot, sparking free speech fight.
In brief
New Zealand bank tries to remove horny memes of its green sheep mascot, sparking free speech fight. Kiwibank's attempt to censor sexually explicit memes of its mascot Buck the Sheep has intensified free speech debates in New Zealand. Originally reported by VICE.
Kiwibank's New Mascot Buck
A New Zealand bank introduced a cute green wool sheep mascot named Buck, which the internet quickly sexualized.
Internet Sexualizes Buck
Users posted sexually explicit memes and fan art about Buck, prompting Kiwibank to issue copyright takedown notices.
Kiwibank Censors Content
The bank scrubbed Buck from social media, leaving messages that this media has been disabled due to copyright reports.
Free Speech Debate Intensifies
Kiwibank’s censorship efforts backfired, drawing attention from John Oliver and New Zealand’s Free Speech Union.
The bottom line
Kiwibank's attempt to censor sexually explicit memes of its mascot Buck the Sheep has intensified free speech debates in New Zealand.
