By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
Elon Musk’s X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has updated its guidelines to officially allow adult and graphic content, a move reflecting the platform’s evolving stance on content moderation.
X’s new policy introduction underscores that “sexual expression, visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression.” Under these new rules, posting adult content is allowed as long as it is appropriately labeled and not prominently displayed in profile pictures or account banners.
However, according to reports, accounts that frequently post adult content must automatically mark their image and video posts as sensitive content. Additionally, adult content is prohibited for users identified as children or adult users who opt not to view it. The policy also extends to AI-generated content, animations, cartoons, hentai, and anime.
X’s safety team further announced via a tweet that the new guidelines aim to “bring more clarity to our rules and transparency into enforcement of these areas.”
It would be recalled that adult content and nudity were present on Twitter and, unlike Facebook or Instagram, were not explicitly banned even before Elon Musk’s acquisition in late 2022.
The updated guidelines, first reported by TechCrunch, now explicitly permit users to share consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual behavior.
Since Musk’s takeover in 2022, with the intention of promoting free speech, he has faced criticism for reducing content moderation teams.
Under his ownership, the platform has experienced technical issues and has reinstated accounts of right-wing conspiracy theorists and former US President Donald Trump.
Musk’s broader vision for X, according to reports include expanding its revenue base beyond advertising and transforming it into a “super app” akin to China’s WeChat, integrating messaging, voice and video calling, social media, mobile payments, and online booking services.
