![]() ![]() Apple has restored the Tumblr app to the App Store as a result of the ban, but there remains credible concerns about the company’s long-term stability. While the NSFW ban has harmed the Tumblr community, it seems to have been a necessary evil for the Tumblr business. ![]() Monsterboyfriends, a popular Tumblr blog targeted by the NSFW ban, announced in its move Pillowfort that it was concerned that “ they don’t have the same rules that blog had, so things such as rape and are present, and there is less of a focus on art and writing that is specifically about relationships.” The lack of an alternative site for departing Tumblr creators and users already suggests that the community will fracture. However, adjusting to the different community guidelines that may not reflect the creator’s personal values have been difficult for them to do. Content creators have moved to Pillowfort, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Some users have spread petitions, staged a mass log-off protest, but many are simply leaving the site altogether. Producers of NSFW content are less than one percent but consumers of it take up almost a quarter of Tumblr’s user base. ![]() Tumblr’s ban isn’t a small issue for the site. Its algorithm has incorrectly targeted many regular Tumblr creators and blog posts, including the one explaining Tumblr’s new community guidelines. Tumblr has repeatedly tried to assuage concerns by making a number of exceptions to this policy such as written erotica, nudity found in art, and gender-confirmation surgery, but it has failed to convince users. In order to create a “better, more positive Tumblr” the company will now flag and hide any adult content, including any depictions of genitalia, sex acts, or “female-presenting nipples.” The move has spurred backlash, and users are fearful about what the policy change means for the formerly sex and body positive space that was instrumental in building community and exploring identities. Tumblr addressed its child pornography problem by enacting a ban, starting December 17th, on NSFW content. In November 2018, Apple removed Tumblr from its App Store due to child pornography concerns. This issue has been called out by Tumblr’s own users for years with no action taken. However, Tumblr’s relaxed content moderation also allowed blogs with more troubling content, particularly child pornography and Nazi agitation. Users appreciated this type of content for its depiction of healthy sex practices, opportunities for sexual exploration, and openness to taboo discussions, such as sex work. The site’s freedom encouraged the creation of NSFW (not safe for work) content that featured explicit sexuality. In an ironic twist with the advent of a new NSFW ban, Tumblr may just be going the way of LiveJournal today. Most notably, Tumblr benefited from the Russian government takeover of the fellow blogging site, LiveJournal, and its censorship of pro-LGBTQ discussions, prompting many LiveJournal users to flee to the Tumblr platform. The platform was renowned for its progressive community, providing a place where issues related to identity, body image, and sexuality could be discussed healthily. The site quickly moved beyond its founder, David Karp’s, original intention of creating another blogging website and became a media platform, the source of a variety of creator content such as fanart, photography, political advocacy, gifs, and short fiction. In February of 2005, the microblogging and social networking site, Tumblr, officially launched. Tumblr's NSFW ban comes at great cost to the community and little gain to the company's long-term prospects. by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Getty KIEV, UKRAINE - 4: Tumblr social networking website seen displayed on a smart phone. ![]()
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