Google ramping up self-censorship

23 Feb 2015

It looks like another big player succumbs to the pressure of mainstream prudishness. If you're blogging on blogspot, you might also have received this mail (or may be about to receive it) - I'm a bit curious if everybody who has flagged their blog to contain adult content got it.

Dear Blogger User,

We're writing to tell you about an upcoming change to the Blogger Content Policy that may affect your account.

In the coming weeks, we'll no longer allow blogs that contain sexually explicit or graphic nude images or video. We'll still allow nudity presented in artistic, educational, documentary, or scientific contexts, or where there are other substantial benefits to the public from not taking action on the content.

The new policy will go into effect on the 23rd of March 2015. After this policy goes into effect, Google will restrict access to any blog identified as being in violation of our revised policy. No content will be deleted, but only blog authors and those with whom they have expressly shared the blog will be able to see the content we've made private.

Our records indicate that your account may be affected by this policy change. Please refrain from creating new content that would violate this policy. Also, we ask that you make any necessary changes to your existing blog to comply as soon as possible, so that you won't experience any interruptions in service. You may also choose to create an archive of your content via Google Takeout.

For more information, please read here (https://support.google.com/blogger?p=policy_update).

Sincerely,
The Blogger Team

(c) 2015 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

I've got two cases of "nudity" on my blog, the header:

...and one cover image of a Lush story:

The way the message is worded, it's difficult to guess whether they're just sending a widespread warning or if my blog has already been "selected" to receive the honor of becoming private. But I'll probably not get any wiser before the 23rd of March. In any case, I'm going to look for a different place to host my blog.

23 Feb 2015

But think of the children! If they get interesting in sensual, beautiful naked pictures they might stop watching videos about violence and guns and hurting people and that would ruin our lovely world! [/sarcasm off]

angry7

24 Feb 2015

I got the same message, probably in reference to an old Blog that I used to post on when I first started writing. I actually don't have any nudity on it, nor do I use it anymore since I moved everything to my own website, so I'm not particularly worried.

I assume they'll be cracking down on the blogs featuring obvious porn pics rather than 'sensual' non-hardcore pics (like your header photo). The message probably just went out to everyone that features adult content.

25 Feb 2015

Due to the millions and millions of pages on blogspot, it would have to be done automatically I'd say.

I've read somewhere that they can flag content for manual screening, based on the amount of skin tones picked up in photos. So I wouldn't at all be surprised if bikini type blogs were flagged too.

The best solution (unfortunately you'll need to pay a little to get total control):

1. Good news, this domain is available: chrissielecker.com $9.99 per annum.

2. Unlimited number of domains hosting: $6.99 per month (maybe share the cost with like minded authors?)

3. Install Wordpress (free, and very easy to do these days).

Total cost $94.

Remember, if you have 6 friends sharing the hosting cost, all anyone would pay is $12 per year for the hosting plus the domain cost. $22.

Some examples of sites from people here who have taken this approach (I hope they don't mind the plug):

http://www.lizerotica.co.uk/
http://www.ashleighlake.com/
http://abigail-thornton.co.uk/biography/

27 Feb 2015

Google won't ban adult content on Blogger after all

http://www.engadget.com/2015/02/27/google-reverses-blogger-porn-ban/

Well that was fast. Google only declared that it would begin cracking down on adult content posted to Blogger a few days ago, but it's already decided it was a bit hasty in its decision. After coming under fire over the introduction of a retroactive change that would ban sexually explicit images and video and also required owners to delete older content, the search giant has told users that it will crack down harder on the publishing of commercial porn instead.

"This week, we announced a change to Blogger's porn policy. We've had a ton of feedback, in particular about the introduction of a retroactive change (some people have had accounts for 10+ years), but also about the negative impact on individuals who post sexually explicit content to express their identities," says Jessica Pelegio, Social Product Support Manager at Google. "Blog owners should continue to mark any blogs containing sexually explicit content as "adult" so that they can be placed behind an 'adult content' warning page."

So there you have it. Maybe Google realised it would see a mass exodus of users jumping over to Tumblr or it just couldn't ignore the negative responses coming its way. Either way, adult content still has a home on Blogger, as long as it's your own or you have permission to post it.

@Lizerotica