Google is notifying blog on its platform, Blogger, that as of March 23, 2015, it will not allow the public display of adult content, that is, content with images and/or videos of sexual content or graphic nudity.
Blogs marked "adult" are not deleted, but they are made private, so only users who have received an invitation from the blogger can access them. This means that starting March 23, the Privacy Settings for blogs that contain sexual content or nudity (photos or videos), even those marked as adult, will automatically change. From public to private, these blogs are made private - the content is not deleted, but only the owners, administrators or readers who have been invited have access to it. Invitees will be asked to either log in to a Google account or enter as "Guest".
According to the previous policy on Google’s blogging platform, a “mature” label was sufficient. In fact, the company argued for the lack of content review by stating that “…censoring this content is inconsistent with the philosophy of a service based on freedom of expression.”(Blοgger Content Policy, 2/24/2015).
The change in policy regarding "forbidden" content for public viewing has already caused reactions from bloggers, who speak of impermissible censorship by the medium, questioning its right to impose it. It is noted that Google is closing the door in the face of the controversial blogs, since the posts of private blogs do not even appear in Google's search engine results, depriving them of traffic, and potentially, revenue.
There are exceptions to the new content policy adopted by Blοgger: nudity that appears in the context of artistic expression, education, in documentaries or in the scientific field or “when there are significant benefits for the public”. However, the owners of these blogs should add the relevant label (Adult content) and warn the visitor, giving him the opportunity not to see the potentially offensive content. Finally, if an owner wants to keep his blog public, he should remove the said content and request its inspection by Google (with the Review option).
Source: tech.in.gr
