Tumblr has made an announcement to change their Community Guidelines. Starting on December 17, they will no longer allow adult content on the site, outside of select situations. The internet is freaking out.
Tumblr announced the change in a post and elaborated it in a help article. Their terms of service have effectively banned pornography on the site.
The language specifically says:
"What is 'adult 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."
This is a strange move, as one of the features of the site was its status as the last remaining major social media company that allowed explicit content. Many people used the site specifically for that reason.
People are wondering why Tumblr has failed to block other harmful content.
things tumblr could have done: - banned nazis - banned cp creators - banned porn bots - enforced safe mode things… https://t.co/QraVVO6YGv— bird 🍇 @ she-ra (@bird 🍇 @ she-ra)1543884333.0
Tumblr being able to just ban all porn on their platform is fascinating because they show just how easily they coul… https://t.co/Smb895iZ5P— Laurie should be writing (@Laurie should be writing)1543859442.0
things that #tumblr should have banned: - minor attracted persons (aka “maps”) - porn bots - child pornography -… https://t.co/LoBv4A1gyG— plasmasea💋✨ (@plasmasea💋✨)1543886672.0
So like, @tumblr, you can ban porn, discussion of #chronicpain, "female-presenting nipples", #LGBTQ content and the… https://t.co/41Xg4g8TaC— Jesse G (@Jesse G)1543892724.0
Users also found the automated system to flag explicit content wholly inadequate.
tumblr why https://t.co/ZUl13hmPAt— Kinuko (@Kinuko)1543867538.0
lmfao should've know these two were problematic🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 IM WHEEZING TNX TUMBLR… https://t.co/CsBuNg2Pjz— Sofi Moscarda 🐨💜 (@Sofi Moscarda 🐨💜)1543922019.0
I’m guessing “explicit” as in “too real”? Lmao ok Tumblr https://t.co/n4mzrAZSCA— Shitley🐺 (@Shitley🐺)1543921716.0
Tumblr right now https://t.co/GCG2JJXfox— best bitch 🌸 (@best bitch 🌸)1543920833.0
tumblr is finally getting its priorities right https://t.co/6p3fJYNnF6— zeena 🌚 (@zeena 🌚)1543922139.0
This Tumblr thing is honestly historic https://t.co/YKWj64AAxz— Artisans on main 🐲🌈🌑 (@Artisans on main 🐲🌈🌑)1543922106.0
NAUGHTY HUG. LEWD FLOWERS. OH GOODNESS. SCANDAL. #tumblr https://t.co/rhdLbNbOzH— •opossum-art• (@•opossum-art•)1543918879.0
Others questioned the use of the term "female-presenting nipples."
Female presenting nipples for when your trying to using inclusive language to uphold oppressive standards.— Marissa Louise (@Marissa Louise)1543859230.0
Tag yourself. I'm "female-presenting nipples." https://t.co/aG6LM0zAAA— Parker Molloy (@Parker Molloy)1543858972.0
"female-presenting nipples" what is the fucking world coming to?— Jessica Nightmare (@Jessica Nightmare)1543863570.0
lmao at "no female presenting nipples" in tumblrs new tos. what arbitrary nonsense that is. at what point in my tra… https://t.co/v54ucvaOTE— splendidland🌱 (@splendidland🌱)1543858351.0
I dont promote anything but please never stop drawing female presenting nipples— Klume (@Klume)1543874722.0
Still, the internet was made for jokes. Tumblr shot themselves in the foot and people needed to blow off steam.
tumblr: bans porn me: https://t.co/6N2SHps1OZ— tyler oakley (@tyler oakley)1543859679.0
This is my full statement regarding Tumblr. Thank you and goodnight. https://t.co/wK1UzUDD2X— Minovsky (@Minovsky)1543865547.0
a live look at Tumblr HQ: https://t.co/4VBbxlzYs0— ab-shitty (@ab-shitty)1543859348.0
@choochoobear and @kingbaz predicted the Tumblr debacle years ago https://t.co/mQzqHnX1fk— Kris Kringle Williams (@Kris Kringle Williams)1543873444.0
tumblr taking a big gamble on their theory that ppl hate being horny— KT NELSON (@KT NELSON)1543880294.0
Tumblr in a nutshell https://t.co/qRIhOZ4CnJ— Wavyup/Nulsdodage (@Wavyup/Nulsdodage)1543920732.0
me: this can't get more ridiculous tumblr: no more female presenting nipples me: what? tumblr: no 👏 more 👏 femal… https://t.co/TlC9VQUara— hazel marie 💌 (@hazel marie 💌)1543860253.0
Tumblr was acquired by Yahoo for $1.1 billion back in 2013. The users at the time worried about something like this happening, but then-CEO Marissa Mayer announced they wouldn't be banning explicit material. They did initially make it more difficult to find, however.
This change comes after the Tumblr app was banned from the iOS app store for its ineffectual attempts to prevent child pornography on its service.
