Censorship
German Court Sides With Anti-Porn Crusader, Blocks 3 Adult Sites
The one-man War on Porn being conducted in Germany by an obscure, conservative local bureaucrat from the North Rhine-Westphalia region has resulted in the first national ban order on “three pornographic sites based in Cyprus.”
Afghanistan: When Religious Zealots Win, Porn Just Goes Underground
A new report by MIT’s prestigious Technology Review shows how sexual expression and adult content continue to exist as an underground phenomenon when religious zealots impose their views on the general population.
U.K. Government Ready to Move Forward With Controversial Age Verification Scheme
The conservative U.K. government led by Boris Johnson has signaled to establishment newspaper The Times that it is ready to revive an age verification scheme for online adult content — a plan previously shelved in favor of the pending Online Safety Bill.
Cherie DeVille Pens Article on Financial Discrimination Against Sex Workers
Cherie DeVille has penned a new essay for the Daily Beast about financial discrimination against sex workers and the controversy generated by Mastercard’s rule changes last month.
Dame Debuts 'Tame' Sex Toy Ad Campaign on New York Subway
Dame Products unveiled today its long-awaited New York subway ad campaign for sex toys, after a years-long legal battle with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
South Korea Targets Philippines-Based Alleged Porn Distributor
An alleged South Korean porn distributor has been arrested in the Philippines by immigration authorities after Seoul officials requested his deportation and accused him of “distribution of over 7,400 obscene videos via internet file sharing websites.”
UK High Court Allows London Clergyman's Campaign for Age Verification Review
Following a religiously inspired campaign by a London clergyman, the High Court in the U.K. has opened the way for a legal challenge to the government’s 2019 decision to suspend the implementation of an age verification scheme for “pornography sites.”
Texas Governor Calls for Criminal Prosecution Over 'Pornographic' Books in School Libraries
Texas Governor Greg Abbott today sent a second letter to state education authorities claiming minors “have been exposed to pornographic books and content in Texas public schools” and instructing the Texas Education Agency to “investigate any criminal activity in our public schools involving the availability of pornography.”
China's Arrest of Alleged Pornographer Shines Light on Cultural Crisis
SHANGHAI — The Chinese government recently publicized the June arrest of a Shanghai-based actor-producer-director for allegedly producing pornography, but contradictions in the reporting on the prosecution of Shen Juhui shine a light on both the underground production of sexual content in China and the state’s ongoing moral panic campaign against “celebrity culture.”
Sen. Josh Hawley Repeats Theory Blaming Liberals for Porn Consumption
Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri recently gave an interview to HBO/Axios during which he repeated his theory that liberal policies and "the left" are to blame for a supposed increase in online porn viewership, a claim he also made last week at a conservative conference in Florida.
Roku to Ban All Porn Channels by March 2022
Roku announced a change of policy concerning private channels last week at its annual developer conference that will result in an effective ban of porn channels by March 1, 2022
Texas Governor Rails Against 'Obscene, Pornographic' Books
Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a strongly-worded letter to the state’s Association of School Boards endorsing a group of parents who demanded their children be “shielded” from some books in school libraries, referring to the material as “clearly pornographic images and substance” and “obscene content.”
Senator Josh Hawley Blames 'The Left,' Feminism for Rise in Porn Viewership
Senator Josh Hawley told a Florida audience gathered at a conservative conference this weekend that a supposed attack on traditional masculinity from “the left” and feminism has resulted in “more and more men” consuming porn.
Japanese Webmaster Arrested for 'Unblurring' Pirated Porn
A Japanese webmaster was arrested last week for posting copyrighted content by local studios after unblurring the pixelated areas around the genitals, which the country’s peculiar obscenity laws mandate.
Washington Times' Latest Anti-Porn Propaganda Piece Actually Written by Priest
The Washington Times published today an anti-porn propaganda piece titled “Former Porn Stars Recall Industry Abuses, Struggles” and quoting a handful of performers-turned-religious-crusaders who have not been active in the industry for over a decade — without disclosing that the author is actually a Catholic priest.
Joanna Angel Skewers Sex Work Censorship in Burning Angel's 'Shadowbanned'
Burning Angel has announced the release of Joanna Angel's "Shadowbanned," described as an acerbic commentary on social media strictures on sexual content.
Tokyo Valentino Run Out of Georgia City by Local Officials
The East Cobb, Georgia location of Tokyo Valentino is now shuttered and sports a “For Lease” sign, sealing the practical victory of local officials — who oppose “sexually oriented businesses” in the Atlanta-area city — over the adult boutique that dared open in their midst.
UK-Based Online Video Platforms Threatened With Fines Over 'Harmful' Content
U.K. media regulator Ofcom — currently led by conservative Boris Johnson appointee Melanie Dawes — today issued “new guidance" for video-sharing platform providers regarding what the government considers “measures to protect users from harmful material.”
UK Press, Anti-Porn Activists Exploit Shocking Murder, Call for Censorship
Several anti-porn activists and editorialists in the U.K. have attempted over the last few days to shift the conversation about the killing of a woman by a man — later revealed to be a member of the Metropolitan police who falsely arrested her and abducted her — towards a condemnation of all “online pornography” and a renewed call for state censorship.
Australia's Top Censor Unveils Plan to Block 'Extreme Pornography'
The head of Australia’s eSafety Office, the country’s official online regulator, has unveiled her proposal to censor adult content in the country.