A necessary change in policy

https://www.reddit.com/r/blog/comments/pmj7f/a_necessary_change_in_policy/

created by reddit on 12/02/2012 at 22:05 UTC

2963 upvotes, 74 top-level comments (showing 25)

At reddit we care deeply about not imposing ours or anyone elses’ opinions on how people use the reddit platform. We are adamant about not limiting the ability to use the reddit platform even when we do not ourselves agree with or condone a specific use. We have very few rules here on reddit; no spamming, no cheating, no personal info, nothing illegal, and no interfering the site's functions. **Today we are adding another rule: No suggestive or sexual content featuring minors.**

In the past, we have always dealt with content that might be child pornography along strict legal lines. We follow legal guidelines and reporting procedures outlined by NCMEC[1]. We have taken all reports of illegal content seriously, and when warranted we made reports directly to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, who works directly with the FBI. When a situation is reported to us where a child might be abused or in danger, we make that report. Beyond these clear cut cases, there is a huge area of legally grey content, and our previous policy to deal with it on a case by case basis has become unsustainable. We have changed our policy because interpreting the vague and debated legal guidelines on a case by case basis has become a massive distraction and risks reddit being pulled in to legal quagmire.

1: http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?PageId=1504

As of today, we have banned all subreddits that focus on sexualization of children. Our goal is to be fair and consistent, so if you find a subreddit we may have missed, please message the admins. If you find specific content that meets this definition please message the moderators of the subreddit, and the admins.

We understand that this might make some of you worried about the slippery slope from banning one specific type of content to banning other types of content. We're concerned about that too, and do not make this policy change lightly or without careful deliberation. We will tirelessly defend the right to freely share information on reddit in any way we can, even if it is offensive or discusses something that may be illegal. However, child pornography is a toxic and unique case for Internet communities, and we're protecting reddit's ability to operate by removing this threat. We remain committed to protecting reddit as an open platform.

Comments

Comment by [deleted] at 12/02/2012 at 22:21 UTC

2823 upvotes, 6 direct replies

Does this mean r/toddlersandtiaras is banned?

Comment by muppethead at 12/02/2012 at 22:12 UTC*

1749 upvotes, 6 direct replies

For those wondering what's been taken down:

/r/teen_girls[1]
/r/TeenGirls[2]
/r/pro_teen_models[3]
/r/preteen_girls[4]
/r/JailbaitArchives[5]
/r/JailbaitVideos[6]
/r/TrueJailbait[7]
/r/niggerjailbait[8]
/r/ChestyBait[9]
/r/bustybait[10]
/r/cutegirls[11]
/r/asianjailbait[12]
/r/JustTeens[13]
/r/JailbaitJunkies[14]
/r/jailbait_nospam[15]
/r/jailbaitgw[16]
/r/nudistbeach[17]
/r/Purenudism[18]
/r/teens[19]
/r/Thenewjailbait[20]
/r/trapbait[21]
/r/malejailbait[22]
/r/malejailbaitarchives[23]
/r/lolicon[24]
/r/shotacon[25]
/r/assbait[26]
/r/preteen_boys[27]
/r/photobucketplunder[28]
/r/AngieVarona[29]
/r/picsofdeadjailbait[30]

Reply if you think I've forgotten any and I'll update it.

1: /r/teen_girls

2: /r/TeenGirls

3: /r/pro_teen_models

4: /r/preteen_girls

5: /r/JailbaitArchives

14: /r/JailbaitJunkies

15: /r/jailbait_nospam

20: /r/Thenewjailbait

21: /r/trapbait

22: /r/malejailbait

23: /r/malejailbaitarchives

28: /r/photobucketplunder

29: /r/AngieVarona

30: /r/picsofdeadjailbait

Comment by chris-martin at 13/02/2012 at 04:18 UTC

271 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Fortunately for me, my fetish is fully clothed people acting normal.

Comment by [deleted] at 18/03/2012 at 16:04 UTC*

25 upvotes, 1 direct replies

So, why is /r/picsofdeadkids[1] still allowed to be up? As long as it doesn't sexualize kids, it's fine -- right?

1: /r/picsofdeadkids

Comment by [deleted] at 13/02/2012 at 02:21 UTC

243 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Any forts in /r/fort_porn built after 1994?

Comment by CoryJames at 12/02/2012 at 22:10 UTC

894 upvotes, 6 direct replies

Is this in response to the somethingawful attack?

Comment by [deleted] at 13/02/2012 at 01:54 UTC

726 upvotes, 2 direct replies

SomethingAwful: "Today we are going to campaign against Reddi-"

Reddit: "WE SURRENDER!"

SomethingAwful: "O- okay."

Comment by TheAngelW at 12/02/2012 at 22:08 UTC

2639 upvotes, 6 direct replies

Well that was quick.

Comment by locoo20 at 12/02/2012 at 23:31 UTC

515 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I think it's clear this move wasn't because it was the morally right thing to do but because Reddit admins feared legal repercussion, I dont understand all these "proud of Reddit" posts.

As a lot of people have pointed out, there are far worse morally reprehensive subreddits out there than jailbaits. Of course no one cares because they aren't about sex.

Comment by [deleted] at 12/02/2012 at 23:12 UTC

390 upvotes, 2 direct replies

[deleted]

Comment by Clbull at 12/02/2012 at 22:12 UTC*

592 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Well it seemed hypocritical to shut r/Jailbait without doing this too.

Looks like quite a few of the subreddits Violentacrez moderates will now be nuked from orbit.

Comment by somuchbacon at 12/02/2012 at 22:37 UTC

207 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Question: Is /r/whalebait[1] going to be affected?

1: /r/whalebait

Comment by autonym at 13/02/2012 at 01:13 UTC

188 upvotes, 5 direct replies

Serious question: does this mean that photos from Franco Zeffirelli's *Romeo and Juliet* are now banned (even apart from copyright considerations)? The two lead actors (and their characters) were both under 18, and they appear in a semi-nude bed scene (his buttocks, her breasts) which is well beyond being sexually suggestive.

Comment by [deleted] at 12/02/2012 at 23:38 UTC

584 upvotes, 3 direct replies

Now if only underage *users* could be removed as well.

Comment by [deleted] at 14/02/2012 at 16:11 UTC

11 upvotes, 1 direct replies

[removed]

Comment by professorfowler at 12/02/2012 at 22:18 UTC

380 upvotes, 2 direct replies

where does Trees fall into the 'nothing illegal' spectrum? just curious (NB not anti Trees at all....just wondering)

Comment by [deleted] at 13/02/2012 at 03:11 UTC

141 upvotes, 3 direct replies

what's hilarious is how many redditors out there believe that this blog post is about censoring child porn as though until today reddit didn't comply with child porn laws.

Comment by defconzero at 12/02/2012 at 22:58 UTC

1275 upvotes, 4 direct replies

Ah, reddit, where pics of dead kids[1] are acceptable, but a 16 year old in a bikini is strictly prohibited.

1: http://www.reddit.com/r/picsofdeadkids

Comment by [deleted] at 12/02/2012 at 22:28 UTC

163 upvotes, 2 direct replies

[deleted]

Comment by cocobabbs at 12/02/2012 at 22:48 UTC

672 upvotes, 2 direct replies

In Hebrew (and please hold the Israel-hate, it's pretty ancient Hebrew) there's a saying; "VeYafa Sha'a Achat Kodem".

It translates roughly as "your action was worthy, but it would have been worthier an hour ago".

--Someone deleted this comment before I could reply/upvote. I find it very relevant.

Comment by starlilyth at 13/02/2012 at 01:28 UTC*

232 upvotes, 5 direct replies

Reddit, you have made a huge mistake. Allow me to explain in one easy sentence: By accepting responsibility for *any* of the content, you are now responsible for **ALL** of the content.

Dont believe me? Ask your high priced Corporate lawyers. Not even Microsoft was able to wiggle out of that, and as a result the entire Usenet newsfeed - CP, warez and all - was carried on MSN until they dropped it.

Good luck spending the rest of your Reddit days stamping out gross and disturbing subs.

Comment by Faie at 13/02/2012 at 01:10 UTC

85 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Not that I'm against this but I find it interesting that on the front page right now is an article on "The escalating criminalization of speech."

The 'free internet' will always have some nasty shit around if it is truly free.