Google has placed restrictions on uploaders of adult content using its Blogger service. Users are no longer able to publically share sexually explicit images and videos, whilst any accounts created before next month will be automatically made private.
The tech giant says that any blogs created after March 23rd posting sexually explicit content will be removed, although exceptions will be made with relation to certain artistic, scientific, documentary or educational contexts.
A statement from Google said: “No content will be deleted, but private content can only be seen by the owner or admins of the blog and the people who the owner has shared the blog with.”
Google had previously said that censoring this content is contrary to a service that bases itself on freedom of expression”. However, the change in their terms marks a significant shift on their stance. Any blog containing what is deemed to be non-sexual nudity will be hidden behind an ‘adult content’ warning.
The company already expects Blogger users to tag explicit material with “adult” if their blogs contain explicit content. Tumblr, which is owned by Yahoo, also cracked down on explicit content in 2013 but reversed its decision following a social media outcry.
