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Some of the users here are missing the point about the recent news

A topic by Edddddurad created 37 days ago Views: 1,316 Replies: 11
Viewing posts 1 to 8
(2 edits) (+17)

I've been scrolling through various threads about Itch's decision to shadowban adult content to satisfy payment processors, and I have to say that I think some of the people here are missing a huge point that's already winning people over no matter their stance on pornography:

Financial companies like Mastercard and PayPal should NOT have this much control over which games are and aren't allowed. 

Steering the discussion to whether or not taboo forms of pornography is harmful not only distracts people from holding these parties accountable, but also alienates them into groups not unlike what you see elsewhere online (and therefore destroys any amount of unity we have against this nasty form of censorship). I'm indifferent to the idea of Itch removing porn games containing erotic depictions of sexual violence (IF YOU TRY TO DEBATE WITH ME ON THIS IN THE COMMENTS YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!), but it doesn't mean I'm indifferent to credit card companies having the final say on that.

I'm trying not to get on a high horse because I'm 100% guilty of participating in petty discourse, and I still am kinda! And yes, it is healthy to talk to people about their views that may conflict with your own, but this is an important window of opportunity we're seeing here. Tribalism is easy to brew online, but this is gonna be a moment where we all collectively put our foot down as artists; arguing about the morality of incest and rape during an ongoing blanket ban on porn does not help women or LGBTQ individuals, signing and spreading that ACLU petition so this could never happen again helps them.


EDIT:  Sorry, I wrote this at 6 in the morning and forgot to link the petition in question:

https://aclu.org/mastercard

A Change.org petition about this also started it seems so I'll link that too:

https://www.change.org/p/tell-mastercard-visa-activist-groups-stop-controlling-w...

(+2)

Hey, can you link that ACLU petition?

(+6)

https://www.change.org/p/tell-mastercard-visa-activist-groups-stop-controlling-w...

(+1)

https://action.aclu.org/petition/mastercard-sex-work-work-end-your-unjust-policy

(+4)

I guess these are the two going on atm

Change ORG petition

https://www.change.org/p/tell-mastercard-visa-activist-groups-stop-controlling-w...

ACLU
https://action.aclu.org/petition/mastercard-sex-work-work-end-your-unjust-policy

(+4)

Have these payment processors even done anything, even as little as making a statement acknowledging the matter?

It seems the platforms chose to become pre-emptively spooked.

(+7)

Those in the US. Contact your local representatives and tell them that in exchange for your vote that they should support Bill 401 and 987.

(+4)

This should be the top post everywhere! 

Petitions are great at raising awareness to an issue, but ultimately they won't change anything by themselves, and can be safely ignored by large enough entities like the payment processors.

The only real way you can stop their abuse of power, is through legislative changes. And those bills are directly targeting this problem.

(+1)

yeah first it is Steam and itchio. Next it could be your favorite webcomic site. Or it could hit Amazon for "questionable" products.

(+3)

On this matter specifically not yet that i ve seen, on the japan end Visa has doubled down and government there started to seek a way to punish visa for censoring media.

(1 edit) (+1)

visa gota sanctioned in japan for doubling down and they will be monitored for 5 years, at least that what is proposed to happen according to local netizens over yonder..

(1 edit) (+2)

Good if I can I'm gonna work with as many people in my country as possible to do the same I think everyone who can should do the same. let's show them what happens when they unite the internet against them.