Engadget
Kickstarter has recently abandoned its proposed regulations concerning mature content following considerable pushback from creators. The firm stated that these content policy amendments were largely instigated by demands from its payment processing partner, Stripe.
In a public apology and accompanying blog post, Kickstarter explained that the introduction of stricter guidelines concerning adult and mature content was a response to the increasing number of campaigns that were being suspended by Stripe during their funding stages. This situation prompted Kickstarter to enforce more stringent rules.
Nevertheless, after receiving significant criticism from creators and the wider community, Kickstarter has opted to revert to its former guidelines regarding mature content. The platform cautioned that despite this retraction, Stripe retains the power to suspend campaigns that have been approved by Kickstarter, indicating a persistent conflict between the crowdfunding service and its payment processor.
This situation highlights a broader concern within the tech industry, where payment processors wield considerable influence over the content policies of various platforms. Kickstarter's scenario exemplifies how external financial frameworks can dictate the types of content that are permissible, even in instances where the platforms themselves may have differing preferences.
Creators have expressed their relief at the decision to revert the policy changes, with many from the adult content and indie game communities commending Kickstarter for taking their concerns into account and for transparently acknowledging Stripe's role in the policy revisions. However, the fundamental concern remains, as Stripe retains the capacity to unilaterally suspend campaigns.
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