Kickstarter Changes Course on Adult Content Guidelines After Backlash

This month, crowdfunding giant Kickstarter stirred up quite a controversy when it revamped its rules surrounding adult content. Previously, the platform had a straightforward stance, banning only “pornographic” and illegal material. However, their new guidelines went into overdrive, targeting a wide range of content, including anything from “implied sexual acts” to specific categories like “MILF/DILF” content. But just a week later, they decided to roll back these changes, admitting that they faced significant pressure from their payment processor, Stripe.

The backlash against the new rules was swift and fierce. Many users felt that this was a huge step backwards in the fight against outdated perceptions of human sexuality. One Reddit user expressed their disappointment, stating, “I thought we had been making progress fighting against antiquated ideas that human sexuality is somehow shameful or evil, but nope.” Another user on Bluesky chimed in with, “Censorship by financial means. That’s what this is.”

If this saga sounds familiar, it’s because other digital platforms like Steam and itch.io have also grappled with similar pressures regarding adult games. For Kickstarter, the consequences were particularly tough for creators who were in the midst of funding campaigns. Sean Leow, Kickstarter’s COO, noted in a blog post that many campaigns already approved faced suspension mid-funding due to Stripe’s stringent policies. “When that happens, it’s devastating,” he remarked, highlighting how projects could be stalled with funds left in limbo after months or even years of hard work.

Leow explained that the intent behind the new rules was to bridge the gap between the more rigid standards of Stripe and the slightly more lenient policies of Kickstarter. However, he acknowledged that this attempt felt like a departure from Kickstarter’s original spirit of supporting bold and unconventional ideas. The reverted guidelines now lack specificity but do allow the platform to uphold their core beliefs.

Interestingly, even with the rollback, Stripe still holds the power to suspend campaigns that, while approved by Kickstarter, violate their guidelines. In those cases, Kickstarter would need to step in and advocate for its creators, a challenge they’re prepared to tackle, even if it doesn’t always lead to a successful resolution.

<p"Leow concluded with a promise to improve: "We could have done this better. We’re committed to regaining your trust and continuing to create a space that nurtures groundbreaking and boundary-pushing creative work.”