Global online marketplace Etsy has announced a new policy banning pornography, sex dolls and incest-themed content.
While the new Prohibited Items Policy comes into effect from 29 July, Etsy has already blocked search terms relating to porn, sex dolls and other fetish items.
We first exposed Etsy selling child sex abuse dolls in 2020. Posing as prospective buyers, we found doll sellers willing to customise dolls to look like specific children – and one claimed a doll was modelled on a 14-year-old Instagram model. Our investigation was featured on news.com.au.
In January 2021, we backed a petition calling on Etsy to stop selling incest and child abuse-themed products started by fashion designer, singer-songwriter and mother of five Anna Cordell. Anna had been a seller on Etsy but shut down her shop upon learning child sex abuse dolls, incest and abuse content was hosted on the platform. Her petition attracted almost 70,000 signatures.
In June 2023, after years of calling them out and highlighting new CSAM hosted on their site, Etsy finally blocked search terms relating to child sex abuse dolls. This was progress, but as Etsy continued to host incest and child abuse-themed items, we weren’t done.
“Not allowed on Etsy”
Etsy’s Prohibited Items Policy outlines updated rules for nudity and sexual content:
We prohibit pornography, sexual services, illegal or exploitative items, and some types of adult toys. In some cases, adult nudity is permitted, though we require some photos to be obscured as a heads-up to people who may not want to see this type of content.
The platforms will still allow illustrative art, such as painting, that include nudity. Where “mature” content is concerned, listings must be tagged with “mature”, and such content is not permitted to appear in any public areas of the account – like the username, avatar or shop home.
According to the new policy, “Pornographic content is not allowed on Etsy.”
Etsy defines pornography as:
Printed or visual materials that explicitly describe or display sex acts, sex organs, or other erotic behaviour for the purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation. Materials produced by pornographic publishers (e.g. Playboy, Brazzers). This includes vintage adult magazines and films.
Etsy has also updated their policy to prohibit sexual language referencing familial relationships:
Etsy does not allow items bearing sexual language or slogans that contain references to familial relationships. This includes slogans such as “Daddy’s slut” or “Choke me Mommy”.
We welcome these positive changes following our years-long campaign. We will monitor the platform closely to ensure that when the new policy comes into effect next week, incest-themed merchandise is removed from sale.
See also:
Our investigation exposing Etsy for selling child sex abuse dolls
Etsy seller providing childlike sex dolls modelled off 14-year-old Instagram star
‘Daddy’s little c*ck whore’: How Etsy profits from child abuse + incest-themed products
Beyond Fantasy: How Etsy’s child-abuse and incest-themed products put girls at risk
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