Imgur Axes All Past & Future NSFW Content From Its Site

In a similar move made by the popular image blogging platform Tumblr in 2018, Imgur is purging its site of all NSFW media.
 
Imgur’s primary offering is an image and GIF hosting platform primarily used by those on Reddit to host media. Of course, as explicit content was available on Imgur, many used it as a source to post on erotic subreddits.
 
The ban includes the removal of all explicit and implied sexual acts, and full and partial nudity. This will include the deletion of old posts on the site as well as the prevention of future posts of such nature to be made.
 
Imgur has said in its announcement: “We will be focused on removing old, unused, and inactive content that is not tied to a user account from our platform as well as nudity, pornography, & sexually explicit content. You will need to download/save any images that you wish to save if they no longer adhere to these Terms. Most notably, this would include explicit/pornographic content.”

The only exception to the move seems to be artistic nudity, which will still be allowed under Imgur’s rules. 
 
The statement also mentions that the move is in an effort for the platform to “remain a safe and fun space on the internet.” That might seem all well and good, but if Tumblr’s decision to axe suggestive content is anything to go off, it not only undermines the sex work industry but also shows that it does not truly understand why Redditors have flocked to Imgur in the first place.
 
According to Mashable, once Tumblr removed all variations of porn and nudity, almost 30% of its users left the platform. Of course, that’s not to say the same will happen with Imgur, but it shows how such content seems to keep people around on certain sites. And with this decision, it is only a matter of time before the public will find another place to fill the void.
 
Should that happen, will it be in the cards for Imgur to walk back on the decision just as Tumblr eventually did?
 
 
 
[via Gizmodo and TechCrunch, ID 179273374 © Vasile Bobirnac | Dreamstime.com]