X updates its policies to allow sexually explicit content and AI-generated porn

Elon Musk’s X Corp. may have unsettled some people today when the company updated its policies to officially allow various types of sexually explicit content on the platform, including AI-generated prurience.

X, formerly Twitter Inc., has always been home to NSFW, or “not suitable for work,” content, although the company has never been entirely clear about the rules. Earlier this year, the platform was heavily criticized for not responding quickly enough when explicit deepfake images and videos of singer Taylor Swift circulated on X.

The ensuing uproar, which reached all the way to the White House, led to further calls for AI regulation. X and other social platforms have walked a fine line over the years when it comes to non-consensual sexual content. Today, X has clarified what is and isn’t allowed. Anything non-consensual falls into the latter category, but nudity and “sexual conduct” are allowed through as long as someone has consented to it.

“We believe that users should be allowed to create, distribute and consume material on sexual themes, as long as it is consensual,” X said. “Sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression. 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.”

No adult content will be allowed that is exploitative, involves minors, is obscene, or objectifies the person or people in the content. The content also cannot appear in “highly visible places,” such as banners or profile pictures. Users who post such content will be required to label it, and it will appear behind an adult content warning, whether it is an image or a video. Under-18s will not be able to see such content, and reporting and appeal mechanisms will be available.

This could be quite a bold move for X, which seems to never be far from public criticism since Musk, who is often seen as a divisive troublemaker, came to power. Moreover, sharing sexual content online seems to be the issue that sets off the most alarm bells. X’s liberal attitude towards sex could bring the company higher revenues, but we can expect fireworks.

Photo: Freepik