Itch.io has "deindexed" all NSFW content following discussions with payment processors contacted by the same pressure group that recently targeted Steam.
Go listen to the first season of the Hot Money podcast, it’ll explain it in much better detail than I’ll remember. Essentially VISA and MasterCard don’t like the reputational damage of being associated with certain types of porn. It’s not a hill they’re willing to die on. If you want your app to accept online payment you’ve got to be in line with what they find acceptable.
For what it’s worth I don’t think they particularly want the role either but until someone destroys the duopoly they have it’s the way it’s going to be.
And “how” did they pressure the payment processors? Pressure on central deciders or what? Spicy data on them?
And couldn’t they influence elections that way?
Go listen to the first season of the Hot Money podcast, it’ll explain it in much better detail than I’ll remember. Essentially VISA and MasterCard don’t like the reputational damage of being associated with certain types of porn. It’s not a hill they’re willing to die on. If you want your app to accept online payment you’ve got to be in line with what they find acceptable.
I find that unacceptable.
For what it’s worth I don’t think they particularly want the role either but until someone destroys the duopoly they have it’s the way it’s going to be.