With Porn Gone, Indonesia Gives Green Light to Tumblr

With Porn Gone, Indonesia Gives Green Light to Tumblr

JAKARTA — Tumblr is back online in Indonesia after government official banned the blogging site for nine months due to porn on the platform.

Tumblr, a division of Verizon Communications Inc.’s Oath media business, turned its back to adult content on Dec. 17 worldwide, barring all explicit posts.

Adult entertainers, who rely on all forms of social media to market themselves, have been mourning the decision all month long to ban erotic content and slice away its massive archives.

Indonesia, however, has taken a zero-tolerance approach against adult content and cut Tumblr in March; video-sharing site Vimeo and content aggregator Reddit also were banned.

Tumblr’s worldwide ban on adult content — which includes showing sex acts, exposed genitals and “female-presenting” nipples — is one of numerous changes at Verizon’s Oath unit.

Also this month, Verizon wrote off most of Oath’s equity — $4.6 billion.

Oath’s brands not only include Tumblr, but numerous other digital brands such as AOL, HuffPost, TechCrunch and Yahoo, among numerous others.

According to an SEC filing, Oath said it has “experienced increased competitive and market pressures” throughout the year resulting in lower-than-expected revenue and earnings. “These pressures are expected to continue and have resulted in a loss of market positioning to our competitors in the digital advertising business.”

Expectations were high when Verizon bought Yahoo for $4.5 billion in 2017 and AOL for $4.4 billion in 2015 to merge under a broader media company, Oath. Tumblr, founded in 2007, was acquired by Yahoo in May 2013 for $1.1 billion 

Verizon’s goal was to challenge content rivals Facebook, Google and Amazon for ad dollars. But it has been unsuccessful.

Verizon plans to now focus more on its wireless operations as the company has written down the goodwill portion of its investment in Oath down to $200 million.

Verizon said Oath still has about $5 billion in remaining assets.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Evil Angel Debuts Pat Myne's 'Jax Slayher For Days 2'

Evil Angel has released director Pat Myne’s new showcase title, “Jax Slayher For Days 2.”

Heaven & Hell Industry Bash Set for Tonight in Hollywood

The annual Heaven & Hell adult industry Halloween party will take place tonight at The Jungle in Hollywood from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. (PDT).

Op-Ed: The Guardian's XBIZ Amsterdam Podcast Dismisses Creators' Experiences

British newspaper The Guardian’s podcast coverage of XBIZ Amsterdam 2025 purports to investigate the power dynamics of today’s online adult industry. Instead, it ignores creators’ voices, airs tired and outdated preconceptions about the business, and rehashes the unsupported claims of anti-pornography crusaders.

Eva Maxim, BranditScan Launch 'Killer' Promo

Eva Maxim and BranditScan have partnered for the Killer Creator Giveaway promotion.

Darcie Dolce, Wicked Paradise to Host 'Jako's Playhouse' Event

Darcie Dolce and Wicked Paradise will host Jako’s Playhouse event at Skybar in West Hollywood on Nov. 14.

2026 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Online Industry Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the online industry edition of the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 14 in conjunction with the XBIZ 2026 digital media conference.

Madison Wilde, Serena Hill Topline Latest 'Bad Lesbian'

Madison Wilde and Serena Hill headline the 21st volume of "Bad Lesbian" from Girlfriends Films.

AEBN Publishes Report on POV Trends

AEBN has published a report on POV and gonzo categories from its straight and gay theaters.

Joybear Pictures to Launch 'I Really Love' Studio Imprint

Joybear Pictures has announced that its new studio imprint, I Really Love, will launch in January.

GoFundMe Launched for Veteran Lighting Director James 'NoNo' Nono

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist longtime adult industry lighting director James “NoNo” Nono and his wife, Stephanie Ross.

Show More