Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, has officially announced that it will permit the sharing of adult content on its platform under certain restrictions and guidelines. The platform is already dealing with pornbots spreading links to OnlyFans profiles and other XXX content, with an estimated 13 percent of all posts being pornographic.
According to the updated Adult Content Policy, users can share adult nudity or sexual behavior, provided the content is properly labeled. X/Twitter emphasizes the significance of consent and autonomy, stating that adults should have the freedom to engage with and create content that reflects their beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality.
However, the platform recognizes the need to limit exposure to adult content for children and users who prefer not to see such material. X/Twitter bans content that promotes exploitation, non-consent, objectification, sexualization, or harm to minors, as well as obscene behaviors. The sharing of adult content in highly visible areas, such as profile photos or banners, is also prohibited.
Brooke Erin Duffy, an associate professor of communication at Cornell University, believes this move aligns well with X’s post-Musk marketing strategy. She mentions that the platform has been “unapologetically provocative” and aims to set itself apart from “brand-safe” competitors like Meta, YouTube, and TikTok. By allowing adult content, X/Twitter seems to be appealing to creators and artists who have been restricted by platform guidelines that punish nudity or sexual expression.
To ensure compliance with the new policy, X/Twitter encourages users who regularly post adult content to adjust their media settings, placing their images and videos behind a content warning that must be acknowledged before viewing. Users under 18 or those without a birth date on their profile will not be able to view posts marked as adult content.
X/Twitter has also implemented measures to enforce its policy, stating that if users repeatedly fail to mark their posts appropriately, the platform will adjust their account settings for them. Users can report unmarked adult content or other violations using the app’s reporting features and have the right to appeal decisions if they believe a mistake has been made.
