Mastercard's Scam Merchant Monitoring Program (SMMP) has introduced a new, investigation-led framework that works very differently from the ratio-based chargeback programs the industry has relied on for years. It applies to card-not-present merchants globally, and Mastercard's guidance on business models warranting closer attention includes adult content and dating platforms, along with subscription services, digital goods and forex.
\n \n \nYou explained exactly what your NSFW AI business does to your payment processor and they seemed to get it. The underwriting process felt thorough and exhausting, but it was well worth it because you began processing.
\n \n \nWhen was the last time you bought something online? Chances are you looked for the confirmation almost immediately. Did the transaction go through? Does it show what you bought? Were you charged correctly? And if there's a problem, who can you contact?
\n \n \nThe European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act is now largely in force, creating new obligations for adult platforms using AI for content creation, performer verification, age estimation, moderation and other functions.
\n \n \nLatin America's Spanish-speaking markets represent an exciting growth opportunity for the pleasure products industry. Across the region, conversations about sexual wellness are becoming more open, specialty retailers are expanding their assortments and shoppers are seeking products that reflect their lifestyles and values.
\n \n \nSomewhere in one of our stores, someone scanned a barcode into a quantity field. The number entered was 8,388,607. At $19.99 per unit, that made a single line item worth roughly $167 million. The number was so large that the import failed immediately.
\n \n \nArtificial intelligence can write a contract in seconds, but that does not mean it can write the contract your business actually needs.\r\n\r\nAcross the adult industry, operators, creators and producers are increasingly using generative AI to prepare model releases, performer agreements, privacy policies, takedown notices, employment documents and responses to regulators. The appeal is obvious: Legal work is expensive, AI is fast and the resulting document often looks impressively professional.\r\nThat polished appearance is exactly what makes the practice dangerous.
\n \n \nYou log in to your payment processor’s dashboard, discover they are withholding 10% of your sales, and immediately assume something has gone wrong.\r\n\r\nIn reality, everything is working exactly as intended.
\n \n \nOur industry has grappled with a patchwork of confusing and burdensome state age verification laws for the past couple of years. But that landscape could change quickly after the House passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7757) by a vote of 267-117, marking a significant federal step into this space.
\n \n \nSince I started in this business 25 years ago, I've watched website footers evolve from a simple collection of links designed to help with SEO into important tools for meeting compliance and regulatory requirements, improving the customer experience and reducing chargebacks.
\n \n \nMatch payment methods to your customers. Look at where your customers are located, how they prefer to pay and which products they purchase. A business with significant European traffic may benefit from SEPA or Pay by Bank, while a subscription-based business may prioritize ACH or cryptocurrency. Add the payment methods your customers are most likely to use, as not every option is available.
\n \n \nChoosing a payment provider involves more than comparing features and pricing. It's also about trusting that your customers' payment information is being handled securely. Every August, Segpay is recertified as a Level 1 PCI-compliant service provider, a milestone the company has achieved for the past 20 years. Having helped write Segpay's original PCI policy documents more than two decades ago, I've seen firsthand how PCI compliance has evolved.
\n \n \nThere is a new wave of lawsuits targeting online businesses, including adult websites. These suits involve the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), and they are becoming increasingly prevalent. In fact, three different clients of my law firm were recently served or threatened with CIPA lawsuits — all in the same week.
\n \n \nThe adult industry has always been defined by its ability to evolve. It embraced online distribution before much of mainstream entertainment did, pioneered subscription-based business models, and continues to evolve in areas ranging from streaming to AI.
\n \n \nFor business owners in the adult and specialty spaces, the rules have always been written in someone else’s office. The latest Mastercard changes are no exception, though there are practical ways merchants can begin preparing now.
\n \n \nThroughout 2025, age verification remained a major focus as merchants worked to meet the requirements of 26 U.S. states, country-specific regulations in France, the UK, and Italy, and evolving guidance from the European Commission.
\n \n \nFor adult website operators, compliance can no longer live in a folder that only opens when a bank, regulator, attorney, or payment processor starts asking questions.
\n \n \nAfter my first year of college, I needed a job. So I did what people did back then: I opened the newspaper and started scanning the classifieds. One listing stood out: “Image Librarian.” I had no idea what that meant, but I applied, and got the job.
\n \n \nPull up your analytics and you’ll likely find that international traffic is already on your site. Some of those visitors convert, but a lot more bounced at checkout — and a meaningful chunk tried to pay but were declined.
\n \n \nI always look forward to the summer as my kids are home and I can plan little trips with them to reconnect and have some fun. If you’re like me, however, you probably never go on vacation without your laptop, so you can check in or lurk in the background to make sure all systems remain go.
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