X (formerly Twitter) has officially updated its policies to allow adult content on the platform.
#Twitter accepte désormais les contenus pour adultes 😳
X changes its adult content policies, formally letting users post consensual NSFW and AI content provided it is properly labeled and "not prominently displayed" https://t.co/fGuC0Bdn2c
— Capucine Cousin (@Capucine_Cousin) June 4, 2024
According to the new guidelines, users can now share consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual behavior as long as it is appropriately labeled and not prominently displayed. X’s Adult Content Policy states that the platform believes in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their own beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality.
However, X also restricts exposure to adult content for children and adult users who choose not to see it. The policy prohibits content that promotes exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization, harm to minors, or obscene behaviors. Adult content is not permitted in prominent places such as profile photos or banners.
Ok, you guys. This dramatically changes things. I’ve so not wanted to leave this site because of the community we developed. Dialogue. Insight. Hilarity. Silliness. The praying for one another. Celebrating victories and mourning losses. What shall we do?https://t.co/ZybEORH12p
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) June 4, 2024
"Over the weekend, X added clauses to its rules, formally allowing users to post adult and graphic content on the platform — with a few caveats." https://t.co/j1ydHWZ0xK
— Amber Mac (@ambermac) June 4, 2024
Brooke Erin Duffy, associate professor of communication at Cornell University, sees this decision as part of X’s marketing strategy to distinguish itself from competitors like Meta, YouTube, and TikTok.
X’s new adult content rules
“X is unapologetically provocative and has sought to distinguish itself from ‘brand-safe’ competitors,” Duffy said.
X defines “adult content” as any “consensually produced and distributed material depicting adult nudity or sexual behavior that is pornographic or intended to cause sexual arousal.” This definition also applies to AI-generated, photographic, or animated content such as cartoons, hentai, or anime. Users who regularly post adult content are encouraged to adjust their media settings to place all images and videos behind a content warning. Users under 18, or those who do not include a birth date on their profile, cannot click to view posts marked for adult content.
X users can report unmarked adult content or other violations using the app’s reporting features and may appeal decisions if they believe a mistake was made. This move marks a significant shift in X’s content policy, aligning the platform more closely with its provocative branding strategy under Elon Musk’s leadership. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the platform and whether Musk’s vision for a subscription-driven X will come to fruition.
