Twitter first launched the Vine video app for iOS in January 2013, and later expanded its reach to Android and Windows Phone devices. It has since become a very popular way for both individuals and companies to release quick video clips out to the world.
As with any new form of video technology, Vine could also be used to send out content that some might consider to be pornographic. This week, Twitter announced some changes to Vine's Terms of Service that attempt to curb the use of its apps for what it deems to be "explicit sexual content." As their blog post states, Twitter doesn't actually mind the fact that there is porn on the Internet, but "we just prefer not to be the source of it" for its Vine apps.
Twitter has posted an FAQ page detailing what "explicit sexual content" means in terms of Vine. Some examples include no sex acts, no use of sex toys in sexual acts, no close ups of any aroused genitals (even if they are covered in clothing) and no art or animation that is considered sexually graphic.
While sexually provocative nudity is now banned on Vine, Twitter says that other forms of the nude human body are fine to show on their apps. That includes showing naked people in a "documentary context" such as a clip of protesters who are not wearing clothes. Artistic nudes, like some might see in an art class, can be shown on Vine, as can clips like a mother breastfeeding her child. Finally, the new Vine rules still allows for sexually suggestive dancing clips, if the person is clothed.
People who are found to violate these new Vine rules could be suspended from using the service, and may be permanently banned if such behavior continues.
Source: Vine blog | Image via Twitter
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