Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has updated its policies to officially permit adult content. The revised guidelines, implemented over the weekend, allow users to share sexual content as long as it is consensual and properly labeled.
The updated policy states that "users should be able to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensually produced and distributed." It emphasizes the platform’s belief in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content reflecting their personal beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality.
To protect children and adults who prefer not to see such content, exposure to graphic material will be restricted. The policy also prohibits the sharing of content that promotes exploitation, non-consent, objectification, sexualization, harm to minors, and obscene behaviours.
This change, first reported by TechCrunch, formalizes a tolerant stance towards adult content that existed before Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022. Unlike platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, Twitter has never explicitly banned nudity and sexualized content.
Since Musk took over, X has significantly reduced moderation and reinstated previously banned accounts, including those of former United States President Donald Trump and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Musk claims to be upholding freedom of speech, but critics argue that his policies have encouraged hate speech and misinformation.