Tumblr’s safe mode is blocking LGBT content and people are mad
Tumblr has introduced a safe mode for posts that are considered not safe for work (NSFW) and it’s blocking LGBT content.
Users of the platform have slammed the changes which are blocking posts with LGBT themes, even if they are not inappropriate.
The changes come despite the site having a reputation for being a safe space where just about anything goes.
Supportive LGBT communities have grown on the site who celebrate the type of content that is now being blocked.
The content filtering system appears to be over sensitive in the way it is determining “explicit” content.
Many users have reported that harmless content is being flogged even when it is not sexually explicit.
They have now accused Tumblr of purposely filtering LGBT content – an instance that also occurred in 2013 when the site introduced a safe search feature which blocked NSFW content from search results.
The new safe mode does not allow minors to opt out and is automatically enabled for new users and those who are logged out.
From July 5th, users will not be able to opt out of the mode.
One user complained: “Even these LGBT mood boards and positivity posts are being censored as “sensitive media” when there’s literally p*rn still floating around this website unmarked.”
A different person wrote: “Ok @staff why don’t you just admit you think LGBT people are inherently NSFW?”
Users are so distraught over the change that they have launched a petition, which now has over 12,000 signatures, to have it removed.
One user came up with a way that the community could work its way around the blocked content.
Staff have since apologised for the error which they blamed on users having marked their pages as explicit.
The statement read: “Please know that this was never our intention, and we appreciate you letting us know so quickly—and forcefully! We’re deeply sorry.
“Tumblr will always be a place where everyone is welcome and protected, so we want to explain what happened.
“The major issue was some Tumblrs had marked themselves as Adult/NSFW (now Explicit) as a courtesy to their fellow users, and their perfectly safe posts were getting marked sensitive unintentionally. That should never have happened. We’re sorry.”
