Discord, the player-centric chat app, which has become popular among marginalized online communities, has tightened its restrictions on NSFW adult content. Discord now requires old gates for entire servers instead of limiting them to individual channels. And, due to Apple’s policy, iOS users of the app can no longer access NSFW servers.
From Apple Guidelines for iOS developers allows “incidental” NSFW content if hidden by default and only shown when an option has been enabled from an external website. Instead of having this ability to comply with Apple’s rules, Discord decided to completely block access to those NSFW communities for anyone using the iOS app. IPhone and iPad users can still access NSFW Discord communities via Safari Mobile and other browsers, but it barely replaces the full-featured mobile app.
Discord will automatically apply the NSFW tag to any server that attempts to border the file new policy. Discord servers are considered NSFW if they carry adult content, including avatars, server banners, and invitations. Individual channels on one server can still be designated as NSFW without applying the label to the entire server, but only if the rest of the server does not focus on NSFW issues.
As expected, there are many setbacks for those who rely on Discord to generate revenue. A quick look at social media shows a variety of self-described kink artists worried about their future in the chat app. Even that of Discord Reddit users they scratch their heads at new policy changes, wondering if this is just a lazy effort by Discord to learn about Apple’s regressive content policies. Some have even hinted that the rumored acquisition of Microsoft is fueling the move.
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They, gulp, be forced to switch to Android? May be. This new policy may make it difficult for creatives with sexual and pornographic content to communicate with their followers if these fans are primarily iOS users. But for Discord, it keeps the app available in the App Store despite what some call prudent restrictions.
When asked for a statement, a Discord spokesman said:
We are committed to ensuring a safer experience for everyone at Discord. We always work hard to create robust controls to help ensure that minors are not exposed to content that is not appropriate for them. Our community guidelines require adult content to be placed behind a door that is over 18 years old. As part of this, we now require that servers organized around NSFW content or content that is mostly older than 18 be classified as NSFW at the community level.
If you encounter a roadblock on iOS, you will see an alert indicating that the NSFW servers are blocked on the iOS platform. However, it is not clear to what extent the policy is rigorous. Gizmodo partner and guinea pig volunteer Joanna Nelius tried to access about five NSFW public servants through an iPhone 12 updated to iOS 14.4.2. She logged into each server at a time, with only a few of the Discord communities requesting age verification and there was no verification process after the fact. Discord said it will implement the new changes over the next few days and will work with server owners to ensure they know and understand the new requirements.
Older millennials might remember when Apple banned the Tumblr app and forced the platform to remove all pornographic images before re-enabling it in the App Store. The discord will probably not suffer the same fate because of this alternative solution. But server blocking is worrisome, given the number of creatives that have relied on Discord to connect with their communities.
IsIt also worries that Apple is the company that imposes such content restrictions on app developers who want it allowed in the App Store, with no other way to load apps on an iOS device. There was applause when the company banned Talking on the App Store after this platform, he played a role in the insurrection at the United States Capitol earlier this year. But, as we are seeing recently retreated against Apple, giving so much power to a technology company is worth questioning.