Finally, Twitter shares actual examples of violent and sexual content *not* allowed

Simulating a sexual act is not okay, per Twitter.
 By 
Kerry Flynn
 on 
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Listen up, tweeps and President Trump—Twitter has some new tips on what not to post.

On Friday, Twitter added specific examples of “graphic violence” and “adult content” that would not be allowed on the site.

Twitter’s policy against violent and sexual content is not brand new, but the company's never been so transparent about what it categorizes under each of these categories. The updates were shared via a blog post Friday.

For graphic violence, Twitter lists depictions of:

  • the moment at which someone dies

  • gruesome crime or accident scenes

  • bodily harm, torture, dismemberment, or mutilation

For adult content, Twitter shares:

  • full or partial nudity (close-ups of genitals, buttocks, or breasts)

  • simulating a sexual act

  • intercourse or any sexual act (may involve humans, humanoid animals, cartoons, or anime)

When it comes to that first bullet point on "full or partial nudity," Twitter clarifies that exceptions can be made for “artistic, medical, health, or educational content.” Content related to breastfeeding is also exempt.

Twitter has been spending the last few months cleaning up its rules to more clearly articulate what is and is not allowed on the site. Last week, Twitter updated its policies on revenge porn.

These changes come 12 years into Twitter’s history. Meanwhile, the site remains rampant with abuse and harassment. After several high-profile incidents, scrutiny from media outlets and investors, and failed acquisition talks with Disney, Salesforce, and Google last year, Twitter prioritized curbing abuse last year.

Still, improving the service hasn’t come without roadblocks. Last month, there was a high-profile movement called #WomenBoycottTwitter after actress Rose McGowan’s account was temporarily suspended.

President Trump also has been a big problem for the company. Twitter employees have debated whether Trump’s tweets violate their policies. CEO Jack Dorsey has repeatedly defended the decision to keep his account running. According to Dorsey, it’s better to have President Trump share thoughts in the open rather than keep everything behind closed doors.

While some may classify Trump’s tweet as abusive, Twitter deems them “newsworthy.” In the update to its policies Friday, Twitter linked to the Merriam-Webster definition of newsworthy within its section on abusive behavior.

“We are making it clear that context — including if the behavior is targeted, if a report has been filed and by whom, and if the Tweet itself is newsworthy and in legitimate public interest — is crucial when evaluating abusive behavior and determining appropriate enforcement actions,” Twitter’s new rules reads.

Of course not everyone agrees. One now-former employee on his last day at Twitter chose to deactivate Trump’s account.

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Kerry Flynn

Kerry Flynn is a business reporter for Mashable covering the tech industry. She previously reported on social media companies, mobile apps and startups for International Business Times. She has also written for The Huffington Post, Forbes and Money magazine. Kerry studied environmental science and economics at Harvard College, where she led The Harvard Crimson's metro news and design teams and played mellophone in the Band. When not listening to startup pitches, she runs half-marathons, plays with puppies and pretends to like craft beer.

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