Tumblr backtracks on blocking sensitive content on iOS, makes it optional

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS
An update to Tumblr's iOS app adds the ability to turn off its mass blocking of sensitive, or even potentially sensitive, material.




In December 2021, Tumblr updated its iOS app -- and only its iOS app -- to preclude searches for any term that could conceivably return results that contained what it called "sensitive content." It was a mass blocking of search terms that appeared to miss out some obvious profanities, but rejected searching for words like "bald" or "selfie."

Now with Tumblr version 22.5.2, the block remains, but the company has added a workaround.

"You can now choose to enable or disable a 'Hide Sensitive Content' toggle," said the company in a blog post. "By default this setting will be enabled, affecting the filtering only on the iOS app."

The company stresses that the blocking, and toggle to turn it off, solely affects "those who are accessing Tumblr through the latest version of the iOS app." It also confirms what was suspected in December 2021, that the changes were made "to comply with Apple's App Store Guidelines."

The new Tumblr setting is only on the web version
The new Tumblr setting is only on the web version


Despite describing this new "Hide Sensitive Content" as a toggle that is solely for the iOS app, there is no such control in the app. Instead, users have to log on to Tumblr.com via a web browser.

Then under Account Settings and Filtering, there is the optional Hide Sensitive Content switch. Once it has been turned off, or on, users have to force quit and then restart the iOS app for the setting to take effect.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    iamrobbieloliamrobbielol Posts: 1member
    What about Twitter? I mean that shit has many "NSFW" items too. Even more.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 9
    beowulfschmidtbeowulfschmidt Posts: 2,139member
    Is Tumblr even still a relevant thing?  Honest question.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 9
    stevegeestevegee Posts: 21member
    wow. are they the most inept development team in existence?
  • Reply 4 of 9
    appleexpatappleexpat Posts: 31member
    The option to see such images should be up to the end user in their settings. Do not like to see or want to see then don’t use their app or services. Simple as that 
  • Reply 5 of 9
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,783member
    beowulfschmidt said:
    Is Tumblr even still a relevant thing?  Honest question.
    Yes there is an active community. The porn sites and spam bots took a hit but it is still very active. Writing, art, photography, lgbtq, palaeontology, theres all sorts of communities that are active on Tumblr. 
    ronnbeowulfschmidt
  • Reply 6 of 9
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,783member
    appleexpat said:
    The option to see such images should be up to the end user in their settings. Do not like to see or want to see then don’t use their app or services. Simple as that 
    The trouble wasn’t  Tumblr. It’s been that Apple kept getting absurdly puritanical on them for some reason. They seem to let the same content and worse slide for Twitter and Reddit and such, but OMG if there was any way for anyone to see a boob on Tumblr it must be banned from the AppStore. I honestly don’t know what Apple’s problem was. There’s been the ability to block NSFW content for a long time. 
    williamlondonStrangeDaysronn
  • Reply 7 of 9
    davidwdavidw Posts: 2,053member
    DAalseth said:
    The option to see such images should be up to the end user in their settings. Do not like to see or want to see then don’t use their app or services. Simple as that 
    The trouble wasn’t  Tumblr. It’s been that Apple kept getting absurdly puritanical on them for some reason. They seem to let the same content and worse slide for Twitter and Reddit and such, but OMG if there was any way for anyone to see a boob on Tumblr it must be banned from the AppStore. I honestly don’t know what Apple’s problem was. There’s been the ability to block NSFW content for a long time. 
    I think the problem started with Tumblr failing to filter out child porn on their site.  It was Tumblr decision to ban adult contents, after this failure.  

    https://thehill.com/policy/technology/419493-tumblr-to-ban-adult-content-after-child-pornography-was-found-on-the-site

    https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/20/18104366/tumblr-ios-app-child-pornography-removed-from-app-store

    williamlondonStrangeDays
  • Reply 8 of 9
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,881member
    DAalseth said:
    beowulfschmidt said:
    Is Tumblr even still a relevant thing?  Honest question.
    Yes there is an active community. The porn sites and spam bots took a hit but it is still very active. Writing, art, photography, lgbtq, palaeontology, theres all sorts of communities that are active on Tumblr. 
    Honestly the adult content appears to have barely been reduced since the ban years ago. There is practically an unlimited supply on Tumblr, as on Twitter and Reddit.
  • Reply 9 of 9
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,881member
    davidw said:
    DAalseth said:
    The option to see such images should be up to the end user in their settings. Do not like to see or want to see then don’t use their app or services. Simple as that 
    The trouble wasn’t  Tumblr. It’s been that Apple kept getting absurdly puritanical on them for some reason. They seem to let the same content and worse slide for Twitter and Reddit and such, but OMG if there was any way for anyone to see a boob on Tumblr it must be banned from the AppStore. I honestly don’t know what Apple’s problem was. There’s been the ability to block NSFW content for a long time. 
    I think the problem started with Tumblr failing to filter out child porn on their site.  It was Tumblr decision to ban adult contents, after this failure.  

    https://thehill.com/policy/technology/419493-tumblr-to-ban-adult-content-after-child-pornography-was-found-on-the-site

    https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/20/18104366/tumblr-ios-app-child-pornography-removed-from-app-store
    I think this is so -- I think Tumblr is facing increased scrutiny and moderation after the child porn failure.
    watto_cobra
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