Twitter/X has long allowed porn. But now the social media platform is making it more official by introducing a new adult content policy. The move is intended to “bring more clarity” to Twitter’s approach to adult content. Previously, Twitter classified it under its “sensitive media” policy, which permitted consensually produced porn. But the content had to be marked as “sensitive,” allowing Twitter’s algorithms to filter it out for users who didn’t wish to see it. Twitter/X—which is now owned by Elon Musk—has decided to continue with the policy, and will require users to place a content warning on the shared media. But now, the company is explicitly endorsing adult content as a legitimate form of expression. “We believe in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their own beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality,” the company wrote in the new guidelines. “This also applies to AI-generated, photographic or animated content such as cartoons, hentai, or anime.”On the flip side, Twitter will restrict porn for users who elect to “hide sensitive” content within their search or content settings. Like before, users must also refrain from posting adult content in their profile or banner. In addition, sharing non-consensual porn is still banned.
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The policy represents a double-edged sword for Twitter, which has struggled to attract and hold advertisers after Musk made numerous controversial changes. Explicitly endorsing porn, when porn bots remain a problem on the site, could alienate even more mainstream advertisers. At the same time, Twitter could try to monetize adult content. In 2022, the company reportedly experimented with rolling out an OnlyFans competitor only to delay the project over concerns about hosting child sexual abuse material.
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