Social media platform X has announced that it will now formally permit users to share consensual adult content, provided that it is clearly labeled as such. This policy change solidifies rules that were already in place during the platform's previous incarnation as Twitter, prior to its acquisition by Elon Musk in 2022.
In a recent update on its website, the San Francisco-based company stated that users should have the freedom to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes, as long as it is produced and shared consensually. X emphasized that sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be considered a legitimate form of artistic expression.
While adult content was allowed on the platform before Musk's ownership, there was no official policy governing its presence. X clarified that adult content will be restricted for minors and for adult users who opt out of viewing such material. The platform explicitly prohibits content that promotes exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization, harm to minors, and obscene behaviors. Additionally, sharing adult content in prominent areas like profile photos or banners is not permitted.
X's stance on adult content sets it apart from other social media platforms like Meta's Instagram and Facebook, TikTok, and Google's YouTube. According to communication expert Brooke Erin Duffy from Cornell University, X's decision to allow adult content aligns with its post-Musk marketing strategy, positioning the platform as provocative and distinct from more conservative competitors.
The company's move is seen as an effort to attract creators and artists who have felt marginalized by platforms with stricter guidelines on nudity and sexual expression. X's policy extends to both real and AI-generated content, requiring users who frequently post adult material to adjust their media settings to place all images and videos behind a content warning. This ensures that users must acknowledge their desire to view the content before accessing it.
