X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has officially formalized a previous policy allowing people to show consensual adult content as long as they are labeled as such.
The Associated Press reported that the confirmation formalized the policy before Elon Musk purchased the platform in 2022. The site also stressed that sexual expression could be considered a "legitimate form of artistic expression."
According to the recent update on its website, X users should be able to "create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes" as long as it is "consensually produced and distributed."
X is also requesting users who regularly post adult content to adjust their media settings to create a content warning for all adult content. This would require users to acknowledge that they want to see the posted image before they can view it.
We have launched Adult Content and Violent Content policies to bring more clarity of our Rules and transparency into enforcement of these areas. These policies replace our former Sensitive Media and Violent Speech policies - but what we enforce against hasn’t changed.
— Safety (@Safety) June 3, 2024
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Dos and Don'ts in Posting Adult Content on X
Having said that, X stressed that it would restrict adult content for children and adult users who choose not to see it.
TechCrunch reported that the platform would also prohibit content promoting exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization or harm to minors, and obscene behaviors. It would also not allow sharing adult content in "highly visible" places like users' profile photos or banners.
X's policy starkly contrasts with that of other social media platforms, such as Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Bytedance's TikTok, and Google's YouTube.
Brooke Erin Duffy, an associate professor of communication at Cornell University, told the AP that X's move followed up the company's pre-Musk marketing strategy, saying it was "unapologetically provocative" to distinguish itself from its "brand-safe" competitors.
X's Adult Content Policy to Attract Porn Stars?
The platform's doubling-down of its adult content policy appeared to attract people who might have been marginalized by other social media platforms that have guidelines regarding nudity or sexual expression, including creators and artists.
IGN reported that emphasizing this policy might compensate for advertisers' exit from the platform.
However, it remains to be seen if the move could also see personalities and creators in the pornography industry increase the active promotion of their content given the announcement.
It remains to be seen if Australia and India take another legal action regarding the policy.
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