The Coming Demise of Tumblr

You Won't Be Able to Find NSFW Content on Tumblr Anymore

The recent ban on NSFW content could spell the end for the blogging platform.

https://www.unreservedmedia.com/nsfw-content-ban-tumblr/

Many a tear will be shed (not all by Tumblr, we’re sure) after the popular blogging platform recently announced that starting 17 December, it will censor any “adult content [that] 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.”

The censorship rule follows the temporary removal of the Tumblr app from the iOS Apple Store over an incident involving child pornography found on the site. Tumblr CEO Jeff D’Onofrio released a statement shortly after the incident on a blog post stating, “Let’s first be unequivocal about something that should not be confused with today’s policy change: posting anything that is harmful to minors, including child pornography, is abhorrent and has no place in our community.”

Their intentions may be good but the actual mechanisms which detect adult content don’t always seem to be accurate, with users flagging up completely innocuous posts which have been flagged as potentially containing “sensitive” material by Tumblr.

Tumblr, a blogging tool which was launched in 2007 is favored for its ability to allow users to share quick multimedia posts as opposed to traditional lengthy blog posts. Over the years, it became a hotbed for erotic content and became especially known for their relaxed attitude towards NSFW content on a platform that’s considered a safer environment compared to other more ominous, ‘adult’ platforms that can be found online.

Inevitably, certain Tumblr users did not take the news well and the backlash faced by the Verizon-owned platform has been immense. Users have opted to abandon Tumblr by heading to other online social communities that they hope will be more lenient with erotic content.

Other users have noted that though all NSFW tags have been removed from the platform, other contentious tags relating to controversial issues such as white supremacy, racism and anorexia are still relatively easily found, despite the platform’s position against hate speech.

Can the platform survive this migration of users? Time will tell. For now, Tumblr is trying to make a stand despite their obvious teething problems. D’Onofrio added that “It is our continued, humble aspiration that Tumblr be a safe place for creative expression, self-discovery, and a deep sense of community.”

Source:Washington Post