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Sex Workers Say Porn on Google Drive Is Suddenly Disappearing
[...] Six porn performers I talked to and more on social media said that they suddenly can't download adult content they keep on Google Drive. They also said they can't a[sic] share that content with other accounts or send to clients. In some cases, the adult content is disappearing from Drive without warning or explanation. The porn performers I talked to started sounding the alarm on Twitter last week. They said that Google Drive no longer seemed sex-trade friendly, detailing error messages and sharing cloud storage alternatives with each other.
When I asked about sexual content being blocked on Drive, a spokesperson for Google directed me to the Drive policy page—specifically the section on sexually explicit material, which says, "Do not publish sexually explicit or pornographic images or videos.... Additionally, we do not allow content that drives traffic to commercial pornography." Writing about porn and sex is permitted, the policy states, as long as it's not accompanied by sexually explicit images or videos. According to Google, Drive uses a combination of automated systems and manual review to decide what's in violation.
[...] "It seems like all of our videos in Google Drive are getting flagged by some sort of automated system," Stone said. "We're not even really getting notified of it, the only way we really found out was one of our customers told us he couldn't view or download the video we sent him."
Stone's files aren't removed from Drive, but when she tries to play the video or download it, she said Google gives her an error message: "Whoops! There was a problem playing this video" with an option to download the item, but the download link doesn't work.
Some sex workers are wondering if this has something to do with the impending vote on the SESTA-FOSTA bill, which is on the Senate floor for debate this week. [ed. note: it was passed]
It could also be that Google is suddenly enforcing its Terms of Service without warning.
[...] "I don't believe that Google should be allowed to dictate what you and another consenting adult send to each other through email."
(Score: 2) by Dr Spin on Sunday March 25 2018, @04:43PM (4 children)
I don't believe that Google should be allowed to dictate what you and another consenting adult send to each other through email
Google, however, believes they rule the world.
On balance, Google wins.
Warning: Opening your mouth may invalidate your brain!
(Score: 2) by jelizondo on Sunday March 25 2018, @06:17PM (1 child)
Why do you think anyone other than shareholders and directors of Google should be allowed to tell Google how to carry their business? As long as the service being offered is legal, you either take the service or not.
I like to have a beer or two with my dinner, does that grant me the right to demand that every restaurant, cafe and fast-food joint has to sell beer? The answer is no, and the answer is no, Google does not have to carry porn if they decide against it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 26 2018, @09:27AM
0) Force no. Speech yes. Because freedom of speech.
1) Customers and users often tell companies how to run their business. Sometimes the companies listen. And sometimes that results in mutual benefit - the companies make more money and the users have a better experience. For example, some people ask restaurants to provide vegan options.
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday March 26 2018, @03:25AM
I think this is more a case of the world ruling Google - other than compliance with local laws (and occasional traffic spike issues) what's Google's incentive to censor here?
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by choose another one on Monday March 26 2018, @07:41AM
> I don't believe that Google should be allowed to dictate what you and another consenting adult send to each other through email
I don't believe the originator of this quote understands the difference between email and Google Drive, or the difference between a link to some content and the content itself.
Since they make movies, they may have got this from the MPAA, which has been deliberately misunderstanding the difference for years - if so, well now it's come round to bite them...