War on Sexual Expression
Meta Admits to Flagging Images as Deepfakes Based on 'Media Reports'
Meta has told its Oversight Board that the company relies on “media reports” when designating images as nonconsensual sexual content or deepfakes and adding them to its permanent database of banned content.
Etsy Updates Policy to Ban Sale of Most Adult Pleasure Products, Content
Etsy will ban sales of most pleasure products and content that depicts sex acts and genitalia starting July 29.
Lovehoney Australia Fights Billboard Censorship With Cheeky Campaign
Lovehoney Australia has launched a new billboard campaign that playfully addresses the issue of government censorship of pleasure products in public places.
Thai Police Conduct New Sex Toy Raid
Thai police have arrested two people for running an underground sex toy business, seizing from their home over 18,000 pleasure products, which are illegal in Thailand.
Maggie MacDonald's New Video Demystifies the Adult Platform Business
Information technology researcher Maggie MacDonald released a video Friday explaining “how content creation, algorithms, media amplification and panicky policy have shaped how porn looks today.”
Indiana Republicans Defund Kinsey Institute
The Republican governor of Indiana signed into law last week a budget amendment defunding Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute, the U.S.’s most historic academic center for sexual research.
Republicans Move Forward With Redefinition of 'Prurient Interest' in Arkansas
Democratic state senators and LGBTQ+ advocates in Arkansas are raising concerns that a proposed bill targeting drag performances would limit the rights of transgender people and also redefine the legal concept of “prurient interest,” which is at the core of recent Republican attempts to reinstate obscenity prosecutions.
Oversight Board Questions Instagram's Nudity, 'Sexual Solicitation' Standards
Meta’s Oversight Board — a panel of experts selected by the company to deliberate on content decisions — released a decision this week recommending the company clarify arbitrary and vague definitions concerning nudity, sexual activity and sexual solicitation.
Fargo Amends Zoning Code to Target Adult Boutiques
The Fargo City Commission approved amendments to its “adult entertainment establishments” zoning ordinance to limit the business of adult boutiques in the North Dakota city.
Slate Probes Social Media Discrimination Against Pleasure Product Companies
Slate published a report last week documenting discrimination against pleasure product companies by major social media platforms.