Steam, Itch.io are pulling ‘porn’ games. Critics say it's a slippery slope (wired.com)

Article summary

Steam and Itch.io are removing adult games from their platforms due to pressure from payment processors, following a campaign by Collective Shout, an organization that claims to be feminist but has been accused of being anti-porn and aligned with the religious right. The move has been criticized as a form of censorship that could hurt vulnerable creators, particularly those from marginalized communities. Some developers have seen their games removed from search results without notification, including award-winning titles that explore themes such as body image and domestic abuse. The situation has raised concerns about the power of payment processors to dictate what content is allowed online.

Main themes

• censorship
• payment processors
• adult content
• feminism
• LGBTQ+ rights
• online discourse
• corporate power
• morality and objectification

What commenters say

• Collective Shout's campaign against adult games is seen as a form of censorship that could have unintended consequences for marginalized creators.
• The organization's alignment with evangelical groups and its anti-porn stance have led some to question its feminist credentials.
• Some argue that the removal of adult games is a slippery slope that could lead to further censorship of other types of content.
• Others believe that the focus on objectification and exploitation in media is a legitimate concern, but that it should not be used to justify censorship.
• The role of payment processors in dictating what content is allowed online is a major concern, as it gives them significant power over creators and platforms.
• There is a distinction between being anti-objectification and being anti-sex, and some argue that Collective Shout's stance blurs this line.
• The impact of this censorship on LGBTQ+ creators and communities is a particular concern, as they may be disproportionately affected by the removal of adult content.
• Some argue that the issue is not about feminism or morality, but about the power of corporations and interest groups to shape online discourse.