Tumblr Relaxes Nudity Rules But Keeps Firm Stance Against Porn

Tumblr's New Take on Adult Content

Tumblr is shaking things up by revising its community guidelines to allow nudity once again. This move marks a significant shift from the platform's 2018 decision to ban all adult content, a choice driven by incidents involving child sexual abuse material. The sweeping ban led to the removal of numerous sex blogs and communities, causing a decline in Tumblr's user base that it has struggled to recover from.

Under the new guidelines, users can now post images and videos featuring nudity, as well as text with mature themes. However, Tumblr draws a firm line at content that visually depicts sexually explicit acts or focuses overtly on genitalia. This decision reflects an ongoing balancing act between creative freedom and safety regulations.

Understanding the Updated Guidelines

The updated policy clarifies what "visual depictions" mean, including pictures, videos, GIFs, CGI, and other media. Historical artwork is exempted, provided it is correctly labeled. Any content with nudity or sexual themes must be marked accordingly, allowing users to filter out such material if they choose.

Further restrictions remain in place against content that promotes adult services, extreme violence, or gore. Additionally, content hinting at pedophilia, such as images of children with suggestive intent, is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in content removal, with Tumblr retaining discretion over enforcement and interpretation.

Community Reactions and Future Outlook

Tumblr's strict 2018 ban surprised many as the platform was seen as a haven for sex workers and adult artists. The backlash was swift and harsh, leading to a settlement with New York City's Commission on Human Rights earlier this year. The commission determined the ban negatively affected LGBTQ+ users, prompting Tumblr to assess its moderation practices for bias.

“I agree with 'go nuts, show nuts' in principle, but the casually porn-friendly era of the early internet is currently impossible,” CEO Matt Mullenweg remarked, highlighting the complexities of content moderation.

This September, Tumblr introduced "Community Labels" including "sexual themes," signaling a potential policy shift. However, as Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic (Tumblr's parent company), pointed out, financial and app store pressures make supporting porn communities impractical. He noted that credit card companies and app stores like Apple's maintain an anti-porn stance, complicating Tumblr's ability to host explicit content responsibly.