Tumblr will ban all adult content on its platform, starting December 17, after it was kicked off of Apple’s App Store over “child sexual exploitation” posts.
In a blog post, Tumblr announced, “Starting Dec 17, adult content will not be allowed on Tumblr, 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,” the company explained, adding that “exposed female-presenting nipples in connection with breastfeeding, birth or after-birth moments, and health-related situations, such as post-mastectomy or gender confirmation surgery,” will be exempt from the ban.
Erotic writing, “nudity related to political or newsworthy speech, and nudity found in art, such as sculptures and illustrations,” will also be allowed.
Following the ban, all identified “adult” content will be flagged and set to private mode, allowing only the user that posted the content to view it.
In a Tumblr Staff post, titled “A better, more positive Tumblr,” CEO Jeff D’Onofrio cited recent controversy surrounding child pornography found on the micro-blogging platform, and claimed the ban was an effort to make “more people feel comfortable expressing themselves.” – READ MORE