By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Etsy's decision to ban sex toys and other erotic items from its platform has ignited significant backlash from sellers. The prohibition, effective from 29 July, also extends to items that expose certain body parts, such as female nipples or the cleft between the buttocks when modeled. Etsy, known for its focus on handmade, vintage, and craft items, stated that these new rules are being implemented to align with "evolving industry standards."
Many affected sellers have expressed their disappointment to us, predicting severe financial repercussions due to the policy change. Anna, the founder of Simply Elegant Glass a business that creates sex toys shared her feelings of betrayal. She noted that loyal creators who have helped build Etsy's reputation feel let down by this sudden shift.
Etsy claims that the ban is intended to protect users and is in line with broader industry trends. Alice Wu Paulus from Etsy emphasized that the policy was designed to balance creative expression with industry standards.
Globally, there is increasing pressure on platforms, sometimes driven by new legislation, to prevent minors from accessing explicit content and to remove illegal or harmful material. Payment processors are also becoming more cautious about associating with platforms that facilitate sex based commerce.
Anna suggested that Etsy could have addressed these concerns by implementing more robust content filtering tools instead of resorting to blanket bans. She defended her work, stating that she has been creating adult glass products since 2015 as a form of artistic expression. Simply Elegant Glass heavily relies on Etsy for sales, and transitioning to another platform like Shopify feels daunting.
The business has publicly expressed its grievances to Etsy on X (formerly Twitter). Another seller from the Czech Republic, specializing in premium silicone sex toys, echoed Anna's concerns, predicting a substantial income drop for many businesses reliant on Etsy. This seller highlighted the challenge of seeking new employment, as a background in the sex toy business might not be well received by many employers.
Mike Stabile from the Free Speech Coalition accused Etsy of implementing broad censorship across the site in a post on X. However, some sellers have welcomed the changes, expressing support on Etsy forums while seeking clarity on enforcement.
The updated policy details prohibited products and guidelines for displaying permitted "mature" products. Acceptable items include restraints, handcuffs, and "sex furniture." The rules ban,
Adult toys designed for insertion into the body
Pornography, including vintage adult magazines and films
Items modeled by humans if they expose genitalia, "gluteal clefts," or female nipples
Advertisements for sexual services, including custom photographs and videos depicting nudity
Some non photographic art featuring explicit nudity in a sexual context
Etsy has faced backlash over policy changes before, notably in 2015 when it introduced rules regarding the sale of spells.
