Etsy Banning Sex Toys, Defines Pornography in New Policy

While Pride celebrations were wrapping up, Etsy was updating its policy on Adult Nudity and Sexual Content on their website, reflecting the end of Rainbow Capitalism Month.

The indie retail site updated this policy on June 27. Details of the policy include the prohibition of:

• Content depicting adult nudity and/or sexual activity
• Adult toys and sexual accessories
• Sexual language referencing familial relationships

To break down what that means, starting with that first bullet point, the site explicitly defines its pornography ban. This includes:

“Printed or visual materials that explicitly describe or display sex acts, sex organs, or other erotic behavior for the purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation.”

Within this definition, the porn ban also includes any materials, vintage or otherwise, published or distributed by pornographic publishers like Playboy or Brazzers.

Finally, in this definition of pornography, the policy page dictates that any language suggesting pornographic marketing in “listing titles, descriptions, or tags” whether or not the item being sold actually includes any nudity or suggestive content.

The new policy also details the kinds of images that are safe to include in marketing materials regarding items that are modeled by human beings: “Genitalia, anuses, gluteal clefts, and female nipples/areolas may not be visible.”

The site suggests if any material inappropriate within these new guidelines needs to be modeled by a human being, such as sheer clothing, the images may feature a human being modeling the item as long as they are wearing something underneath like skin-tone underwear. The site also suggests that the user could opt for a mannequin to display their item in lieu of a human.

Also prohibited under Etsy’s policy are definitions for “non-realistic content” that is neither photographic nor photorealistic (such as paintings or drawings). The site does allow exposed breasts and buttocks for more artistic content, but explicitly prohibits “sex acts with visible genitalia or anuses” and “depictions of genitalia or anuses with other sexual context.”

The site explicitly bans the advertisement or sale of sexual services or what it calls “fetishized items” like used underwear, custom photos/videos, and even feet pics. Of course, no adult content policy is complete without the addition of outright prohibiting illegal sex acts like necrophilia, bestiality, incest, and nonconsensual sex.

What remains the newest prohibition under Etsy’s policy update is the sweet sore spot of adult toys and sexual accessories.

The retailer has firmly detailed the ban on sex toys:

• Inserted into the body
• Applied to the genitalia
• Designed for genitals to be inserted into them

It seems insertion and penetration are very hot topics for Etsy. The policy outlines “adult toys such as dildos, vibrators, anal plugs, sex dolls, and fleshlights.” However, the site does still allow adult toys that are “non-insertable” and “non-penetrable” as long as they meet the site’s “requirements” for sale.

With some speculation, this may perhaps include a handmade rose toy or the magic wand referenced in Chappell Roan’s “Red Wine Supernova.” Permitted items that Etsy does include would be items like handcuffs, nipple clamps, restraints, harnesses, sex furniture, and BDSM gear. The exception to this would be that the items must not include human models in their advertisement.

Lastly, Etsy also bans sexual language referring to familial relationships. The policy covers what that means before detailing that advertisements must not include sexual language regarding parents, step-parents, siblings, and other relatives.

So, the next time you’re setting up the plot for your next OnlyFans video about calling your step-brother for help after getting stuck in the laundry, make sure it’s cleared before you try retailing it on Etsy. That being said, you can kiss goodbye any collars that say “Daddy’s Slut” or “Choke Me Mommy” in addition to 3D printed Shrek butt plugs and fantasy dragon dildos.

If there’s anything on your wishlist, it might be a good idea to check out now, because the policy goes into effect on July 29.

Graphic courtesy of social media