Microblogging website Tumblr has announced a new policy that will see all adult content banned on Dec. 17.
In an update to its rules Monday, Tumblr revealed that all mature content will be blocked for users “regardless of how old you are.”
“Adult content primarily includes photos, videos, or GIFs that show real-life human genitals or female-presenting nipples, and any content—including photos, videos, GIFs and illustrations—that depicts sex acts,” Tumblr’s website says.
The few exceptions, Tumblr notes, include “female-presenting nipples in connection with breastfeeding, birth or after-birth moments, and health-related situations, such as post-mastectomy or gender confirmation surgery.”
Non-visual content, such as written erotica, will also be permitted as well as “nudity related to political or newsworthy speech, and nudity found in art, such as sculptures and illustrations.”
The new policy will be enforced by an algorithm that scans and flags content deemed to be in violation.
Tumblr says users who feature adult content should expect an email informing them that their posts will be “reverted to a private setting viewable only by you.” Users will also be given the option to appeal the decision if they feel Tumblr has improperly flagged their content.
“If you feel that we have categorized your post incorrectly, you can appeal this decision with the form that was sent to you via email or use the button on the post in question,” Tumblr states.
The website’s “Safe Mode,” which attempted to filter out adult content, will also be removed.
The changes, which are expected to have a large effect on the many users who post such content, follow last year’s acquisition of Tumblr by Oath Inc., a subsidiary of Verizon Communications.
Tumblr CEO Jeff D’Onofrio recently outlined in a blog post plans by the company to alter its role online.
“We’ve given serious thought to who we want to be to our community moving forward,” D’Onofrio said. “We’ve realized that in order to continue to fulfill our promise and place in culture, especially as it evolves, we must change.”
D’Onofrio argued that those who rely on Tumblr for certain types of adult content can still find it elsewhere.
“There are no shortage of sites on the internet that feature adult content,” D’Onofrio said. “We will leave it to them and focus our efforts on creating the most welcoming environment possible for our community.”
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H/T the Verge
