Social media network X has updated its rules to formally permit users to share consensually-produced AI-generated NSFW content, provided it is clearly labelled. This change aligns with previous experiments under Elon Musk’s leadership, which involved hosting adult content within specific communities.
“We believe that users should be able to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensually produced and distributed. Sexual expression, visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression,” X’s updated ‘adult content’ policy states.
The policy further elaborates: “We believe in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their own beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality. We balance this freedom by restricting exposure to adult content for children or adult users who choose not to see it.”
Users can mark their posts as containing sensitive media, ensuring that such content is restricted from users under 18 or those who haven’t provided their birth dates.
While X’s violent content rules have similar guidelines, the platform maintains a strict stance against excessively gory content and depictions of sexual violence. Explicit threats or content inciting or glorifying violence remain prohibited.
X’s decision to allow graphic content is aimed at enabling users to participate in discussions about current events, including sharing relevant images and videos.
Although X has never outright banned porn, these new clauses could pave the way for developing services centred around adult content, potentially creating a competitor to services like OnlyFans and enhancing its revenue streams. This would further Musk’s vision of X becoming an “everything app,” similar to China’s WeChat.
A 2022 Reuters report, citing internal company documents, indicated that approximately 13% of posts on the platform contained adult content. This percentage has likely increased, especially with the proliferation of porn bots on X.
See also: Elon Musk’s xAI secures $6B to challenge OpenAI in AI race
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