Itch.io is shadowbanning or deleting NSFW and LGBTQ content

[Gradine]

Hard disagree.

If you haven't made even a basic effort to research something, demanding labour from others is frankly not okay. As you've linked zero sources so far, so you literally aren't in a position to complain about people not linking.

This is so important; the whole "do my homework for me!" is such a massive bad-faith tactic that it is difficult take it at such face value that you're willing to dedicate your own time and energy to appease somebody you can't even be sure is actually engaging you in good faith. Best practice is honestly to do your own research, and if you're feeling up to digging up your own sources you're doing so of your own accord and not to appease a potential sealion.

 

[The Firebird]

We essentially know this is true.

That's not really in question. The rules Itch.io have are literally from Visa/MC

I don't think this is true. We don't, afaik, have anything from Visa/MC here. Itch is not quoting any statements that were sent. They are providing their own interpretation of what Visa/MC are requiring of them. It is reasonable to think they are reading that restrictively.

It probably won't be HBO

Great, that was the question I asked. Given that enforcing such restrictive policies is not what Visa/MC are in the business of doing, why assume that they do, secretly, have such a restrictive list of topics that they never publicly state? Or are there public statements to that effect?

 

[Staffan]

It's also hitting mainstream media now: Mastercard and Visa face backlash after hundreds of adult games removed from online stores Steam and Itch.io

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I don't think this is true. We don't, afaik, have anything from Visa/MC here. Itch is not quoting any statements that were sent. They are providing their own interpretation of what Visa/MC are requiring of them. It is reasonable to think they are reading that restrictively.

So you've kind of argued yourself into a corner here.

Given that enforcing such restrictive policies is not what Visa/MC are in the business of doing, why assume that they do, secretly, have such a restrictive list of topics that they never publicly state? Or are there public statements to that effect?

Please have a bit of a think about this if you would. Specifically about the potential direct contradiction between the two things you're claiming here.

Like, I don't want jump in and say haha, I think you'll probably come up with it.

Also, have looked up the Visa and Mastercard merchant rules? Because I have, but if you haven't, I'm increasing getting a bit tired of doing all the work here. Feels like sealioning might be happening. I'm happy to discuss them when you can show me you've at least found them.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

It's also hitting mainstream media now: Mastercard and Visa face backlash after hundreds of adult games removed from online stores Steam and Itch.io

Bad reporting sadly as they make this false claim:

"While Collective Shout solely targeted games it said violated policies held by payment platform"

No. Collective Shout lied and claim that after the fact. If the reporter had actually questioned this, they'd have found out Collective Shout made no effort whatsoever to target specific games, and indeed, their instructions about lobbying the payment processors didn't ask people to name specific games, but to make generalized complaints - @The Firebird linked the page earlier.

 

[Not a Decepticon]

GameSpot points out that MOUTHWASHING was delisted due to Collective Shout demands

A game that is one of most brutal condemnation of sexual assault and patriarchal culture allowing it, that does not show anything sexual in itself, got labeled "pornographic". This is grotesque.

 

[The Firebird]

Please have a bit of a think about this if you would. Specifically about the potential direct contradiction between the two things you're claiming here.

Like, I don't want jump in and say haha, I think you'll probably come up with it.

It is satisfying to mischaracterize someone and decide they are foolish. It isn't the first time you've done it this thread. That's enough for me.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

It is satisfying to mischaracterize someone and decide they are foolish. It isn't the first time you've done it this thread. That's enough for me.

I mean, you've been doing that the whole time. I've illustrated it at some length.

Like I said, I've read both MC and Visa's merchant rules and there's nothing secret about them, contrary to your earlier assertion. I suggest you do likewise, you will find it enlightening.

Both are causing serious problems. Visa has a completely inflexible definition of of what it considers unacceptable, but is, as I correctly said, not enforcing it. I was correct to assert that they could "violate" HBO or really any media company they felt like at any moment. It's just whim keeping them from doing so.

Mastercard seem much fluffier, because they don't have the same inflexible list, and they say artistic merit factors in - only things with "no artistic merit" are a problem, but they have such hysterically insane and threatening terms a merchant has to agree to in order to use them that they could potentially cost you millions upon millions if you violated them, and whilst you could probably win in court (via their own terms) and prevent their fines etc., it would be a very painful process and they would still be able to stop doing business with you even you didn't violate any terms at all.

Also really interesting that as soon as I mention sealioning the argument is over huh, hmmm.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

GameSpot points out that MOUTHWASHING was delisted due to Collective Shout demands

A game that is one of most brutal condemnation of sexual assault and patriarchal culture allowing it, that does not show anything sexual in itself, got labeled "pornographic". This is grotesque.

I mean, Collective Shout tried to get Detroit: Become Human banned, a game which is a literally about how abusive behaviour is bad, so I think we can safely say they're very happy with that, even if Tankard Reist lies and lies in interviews and statements and says that's not what they wanted (whilst, on Twitter, again, won't link to it, too vile, she is just screaming abuse at people and reposting others screaming abuse, whilst complaining that, shockingly, people are abusive to her and her friends lol, like, come on man, you don't get to call half of the internet "sick pedos" and then not get called some stuff yourself).

 

[Umbran]

It is satisfying to mischaracterize someone and decide they are foolish. It isn't the first time you've done it this thread. That's enough for me.

I mean, you've been doing that the whole time. I've illustrated it at some length.

Mod note:
Folks, this looks like it is becoming a personal conflict in which you attack each other rather than address the issues.

Please dial it back. Thanks.