The regulations for Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, have been modified to formally permit the posting of graphic and pornographic content.
The action formalised a policy that was in existence before entrepreneur Elon Musk bought the platform in 2022 when it was still known as Twitter.
In a recent update on its website, the San Francisco-based company said users “should be able to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensually produced and distributed. Sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression.”
While there was no formal regulation in place before Musk, adult content was permitted on Twitter as well. According to X, adult content is restricted for both adult users who prefer not to view it and kids.
“We also prohibit content promoting exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization or harm to minors, and obscene behaviours,” X said.
It further stated that distributing sexual content in “highly visible” locations, including banners or user profile photographs, is prohibited.
X’s policy is not like those of other social networking sites, such as Facebook and Instagram from Meta, TikTok, and YouTube from Google.
“The platform’s move to allow ‘adult content’ dovetails well with the company’s post-Musk marketing strategy,” said Brooke Erin Duffy, associate professor of communication at Cornell University.
“X is unapologetically provocative and has sought to distinguish itself from ‘brand safe’ competitors.”
According to her, the corporation seems to be targeting those who have been marginalised by other social media platforms that have policies prohibiting sexual expression or nudity, such as creators and artists. Both material created by artificial intelligence and real content are covered by this policy.
X is requesting that users who upload pornographic content on a regular basis change their media settings so that all of their pictures and videos are hidden behind a content warning. Before they may see the uploaded image, users must acknowledge that they wish to see it.
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