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Mature Content Policy Changes for the Forums

DixieFlatline

We have always endeavored to continually reassess our rules, introducing improvements and clarifications when and where able. These changes most commonly affect our upload rules, but on occasion we make significant alterations to the policies governing other areas of the site. Today we're making a dramatic change - and clarification - to our Forum Rules.

Since the beginning, What.CD has aimed for a high standard of community interaction. Among other things, this standard has meant not allowing unacceptable content to degrade the quality of exchange in our forums. Even so, we recognize that in the course of normal interaction, contexts arise in which it is reasonable to post mature content - including mature images (the very sort of content which might otherwise be considered 'NSFW'). One routinely encountered example of this content is explicit album art.

It is easier to permit mature content when it is text-based, and for that reason we have historically opted to employ a catch-all rule against pornographic and semi-pornographic visual content. Over time, the wording of this rule has proven ambiguous for moderators and users alike. We have begun relying on an unwritten rule which requires users to use [hide] tags when posting otherwise reasonable mature content in proper contexts, but this approach has proven inadequate.

We intend to eliminate the lion's share of this ambiguity. To accomplish this, we're introducing two new features, and are dramatically revamping our on-site mature content policy in the process:

New Features:

1. The [Mature] Tag: All mature content posted must be wrapped in the [mature] tag. The correct format is as follows: [mature=description] ...content... [/mature], where “description” is a mandatory description of the post contents. Misleading or inadequate descriptions will be strictly penalized. This tag will replace use of the [hide] tag for the posting of mature content in any appropriate context.
2. The Mature Content Filter: In your user settings, you'll see a new option which will allow you to display mature content in posts (forums, artist comments, torrent comments, etc.). By default, all users are opted-out of this feature. If you opt-in, mature content posted by other users that has been properly wrapped in [mature] tags will be available to you.

These two features work in tandem:

• If you remain opted-out from displaying mature content, mature content wrapped in [mature] tags will not be visible in your browser when you visit the site. Furthermore, content hidden behind these tags will not be cached.
• If you opt-in to display mature content, content wrapped in [mature] tags will be cached (as happens in the case of [hide] tags). However, you'll still need to click "show" in order to reveal the hidden content. Furthermore, all content posted this way must be adequately described, so you'll always have an idea of what you're unveiling before doing so.

Policy Changes:

To clearly define the types of content we'll be allowing, as well as the contexts in which we'll allow this content, we've established the following rules. With these changes, we hope to bring greater consistency to moderation decisions and user impressions alike. You are responsible for strictly adhering to these guidelines if you choose to post mature content of any kind. Ignorance of these rules will not be an acceptable excuse.

• Be cautious when posting mature content on the forums. All mature imagery must abide by the rules found here. Gratuitously sexual or violent content which falls outside of the allowable categories will result in a warning or worse.
• Mature content in posts must be properly tagged. The correct format is as follows: [mature=description] ...content... [/mature], where “description” is a mandatory description of the post contents. Misleading or inadequate descriptions will be penalized.
• Threads created for the exclusive purpose of posting mature imagery will be trashed. Mature content (including graphic album art) should be contextually relevant to the thread and/or forum you’re posting in. Mature content is only allowed in: The Lounge, The Lounge +1, Power Users, Elite, Torrent Masters, VIPs, Comics, Contests & Designs, The Laboratory. If you are in doubt about a post’s appropriateness, send a Staff PM to the Forum Moderators and wait for a reply before proceeding.

While these policies will replace our current mature content rule in the Forum Rules section of our Chat Rules, we fully expect users who intend to use these new features to read our detailed rules in full. The detailed version of our mature content rules outlines the specific categories of mature content we'll allow, as well as the contexts in which we'll allow this content to be posted. The detailed version of our mature content rules also clarifies our explicit album art and avatar content rules. For your convenience, the detailed version of these rules can be expanded below:

Detailed Mature Content Rules: Show

These changes represent our moderation decisions at their most permissive, and we trust that the community is capable of using these new features responsibly. Of utmost importance is an awareness of appropriate context. Furthermore, it is in your best interests to prudently avoid excess even when posting mature content in contextually relevant areas. You should not think of these changes as a mandate to post unacceptable mature content wherever and whenever you like, but rather a clarification of what's acceptable. Lastly, please be aware that we will begin enforcing these changes immediately, and it is your responsibility to abide by the new rules forthwith.

Thanks, and please enjoy the changes.

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