Etsy’s Ban on Sex Toys Sparks Backlash from Sellers
Online marketplace Etsy is set to ban sex toys and other erotic items from its platform, causing a stir among sellers who rely on the site for their livelihood. The new rules, which will come into effect on 29 July, also prohibit items that expose body parts such as female nipples or the cleft between the buttocks when modelled.
Etsy, known for its focus on handmade, vintage, and craft items, stated that the changes are being made to align with “evolving industry standards.” However, affected sellers have expressed disappointment and concern over the potential impact on their revenues.
Anna, the founder of Simply Elegant Glass, a seller of sex toys, criticized the policy change, stating, “As creators who have helped make Etsy what it is and who have remained loyal to their platform for years, we feel betrayed.” She suggested that Etsy could address concerns about explicit content by implementing clearer labeling and separating adult product listings.
The ban on sex toys and explicit items is part of a broader trend of online platforms facing pressure to prevent under-18s from encountering explicit content and to remove illegal or harmful material. Payment processors are also becoming more cautious about working with platforms that facilitate sex-based commerce.
While some sellers support the changes, others worry about the potential loss of income and the challenges of finding alternative employment in a field that may be stigmatized. The Free Speech Coalition, a group advocating for the rights of the adult industry, accused Etsy of implementing “sweeping sitewide censorship.”
Etsy’s strengthened policy outlines the types of products that are prohibited and provides guidelines for displaying permitted “mature” products, such as restraints, handcuffs, and sex furniture. The rules include bans on adult toys designed for insertion, pornography, using human models to display explicit body parts, and advertising sexual services.
This is not the first time Etsy’s policy updates have sparked controversy, with previous changes in 2015 regarding the selling of spells causing a similar backlash. Sellers now face the challenge of adapting to the new rules or seeking alternative platforms to continue their businesses.
