In a bold move, X (formerly Twitter) has updated its official usage policies to allow adult content on the platform with specific restrictions.
The social media giant will now let users "share consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual content, as long as it is properly labeled and prominently displayed."
The change is a big shift in the platform's approach to sexual and artistic expression, which the company believes is within the rights of its adult users.
X’s Adult Content Policy still maintains balance in the freedom it provides by banning all content that contains or promotes the following:
- Exploitation
- Harm to minors
- Nonconsent
- Objectification
- Obscene behaviors
- Sexualization
In light of these changes, X also urged regular posters of adult content to adjust their media settings, because they are set to automatically hide posts behind a content warning that requires user acknowledgment.
There is also an option to add one-time content warnings to individual posts.
X users who are below legal age or those who did not provide a birth date will be unable to click on adult content.
Behind X's Bold Move
Brooke Erin Duffy, associate professor of communication at Cornell University, analyzed the strategic move in a statement to Variety.
"X is unapologetically provocative and has sought to distinguish itself from 'brand-safe' competitors," she said about the "post-Musk marketing strategy."
She goes on to state that the company may be accommodating sex workers (including artists and creators) whose nude or sexual content often gets taken down by platform guidelines on other sites.
I think what they are actually doing is modifying the policy for stricter enforcement.
— Brian Jacobson (@BrianHJacobson) June 4, 2024
They have always tacitly allowed porn. Now they are explicitly allowing it but it must be marked accordingly with a content filter.
That way there is now wiggle room if you violate the policy
Twitter has allowed adult content on its platform long before Musk acquired Twitter.
A Reuters report in October 2022 estimated that 13% of all posts on the platform contained sexual material.
It remains to be seen how this development will impact the platform's user base and overall tone.
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Editing by Katherine 'Makkie' Maclang
