LOS ANGELES — Tumblr has announced it will no longer allow adult content on its site, beginning on Dec. 17.
According to a newly updated policy on what constitutes sensitive content, "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."
After the ban goes live on Dec. 17, algorithms will target adult content for flagging and removal. Members of the community whose content Tumblr has flagged as adult will receive email notices with a link to the flagged posts, which will be reverted to a private setting viewable only by the user, and be given the opportunity to appeal the decision via a form.
Since its founding in 2007, Tumblr has permitted adult content, but this recent move — amidst Instagram and Facebook's increasingly aggressive censoring and Twitter's shadowbanning of sex workers — is the latest effort by digital media platforms to become fully safe-for-work.
Backlash from consumers was swift on Twitter, with #Tumblr trending massively and several adult stars, cam models and clip artists reacting with dismay.
“WE’VE GIVEN SERIOUS THOUGHT TO WHO WE WANT TO BE TO OUR COMMUNITY” What does this even mean @tumblr ??????https://t.co/BcfVRMbWpw
— Erika Lust (@erikalust) December 3, 2018
it sucks so hard tumblr is removing adult content. i haven’t been on the site in years but it’s where TONNES of people get their best advertising and customers. sucks! stop discriminating against sex workers and people who might like a nipple.
— janice (@rejaniced) December 3, 2018
Dec 17th also happens to be the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers... https://t.co/2IZPGaZGmE
— Jiz Lee (@jizlee) December 3, 2018
RIP porn tumblr ?? https://t.co/YUAouXaZ0r
— Vex Ashley (@vextape) December 3, 2018
How disappointing. Tumblr used to be soooo good. :( https://t.co/qOJIFiQiue
— Goddess Venus (@venusyourgod) December 3, 2018
RIP tumblr, thanks for sucking for so long that this blow barely even hurts
— Lucy Everleigh (@LucyEverleigh) December 3, 2018
"FEMALE-PRESENTING NIPPLES" !!!!!! OH GOD!!!!!! NOT THE NIPS! https://t.co/4saLQxQsda
— Emma Choice (@emmac_cb) December 3, 2018