Kickstarter is forced to ban adult content by payment processors (kotaku.com)

Article summary

Kickstarter has updated its guidelines to prohibit certain types of adult content, including violent, derogatory, and sexually explicit material. The change is reportedly due to pressure from payment processor Stripe, which may refuse to process payments for projects featuring such content. This move follows similar actions by other platforms, such as Steam and Itch.io, which have also faced pressure from payment processors like Visa and Mastercard. The change has sparked debate about censorship and the role of payment processors in regulating online content.

Main themes

• Censorship and free speech
• Payment processor regulations
• Adult content policies
• Online platform governance
• Financial industry influence

What commenters say

• The pressure from payment processors to ban adult content is a form of censorship that undermines free speech and artistic expression.
• The true motivation behind the ban is not morality, but rather the high chargeback rates associated with adult content, which payment processors want to avoid.
• The influence of conservative religious groups is a significant factor in the push to ban adult content from online platforms.
• Payment processors are effectively acting as a form of government, exerting control over what types of content are allowed online.
• The use of cryptocurrencies could provide a workaround for creators who want to produce and distribute adult content without relying on traditional payment processors.
• The ban on adult content is part of a larger trend of financial institutions imposing their moral values on the online world.
• The role of payment processors in regulating online content is a complex issue that raises questions about the balance between free speech and financial risk management.
• The claim that chargeback rates are the primary reason for the ban is a myth, and the real motivation is a desire to impose moral standards on online content.