nudity
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Twitch re-revises its guidelines to ban the implication of nudity
Twitch has revised its nudity policies yet again. The latest change bars streamers from pretending to be “fully or partially nude,” as clarified by Angela Hession, Twitch’s VP of Trust and Safety, in a blog post.
Facebook's oversight board's first judgments overturn four moderation decisions
The Oversight Board has issued its first judgments.
Twitch clears up its confusing nudity and attire guidelines
Twitch has released new “nudity and attire” guidelines that clarify much more precisely what is allowed in streams.
Instagram will soon let you appeal post takedowns
While Instagram has made it easy for users to report posts that may violate its policies, there hasn't been a way for people to contest those decisions. But that will be changing soon. In a media briefing in New York City, the company said it is going to start rolling out a new appeals feature over the next few months. This will give users the chance to request a review of content that was taken down, all from inside the app. Instagram says that, if it realizes it made a mistake, it'll restore posts. Any appeal will be sent to a completely different reviewer than the one who made the original decision, in order to ensure that the posts are thoroughly inspected.
Facebook has already removed 583 million fake accounts this year
Last month, Facebook published its internal community enforcement guidelines for the first time and today, the company has provided some numbers to show what that enforcement really looks like. In a new report that will be published quarterly, Facebook breaks down its enforcement efforts across six main areas -- graphic violence, adult nudity and sexual activity, terrorist propaganda, hate speech, spam and fake accounts. The report details how much of that content was seen by Facebook users, how much of it was removed and how much of it was taken down before any Facebook users reported it.
Zuckerberg: It’s easier for AI to detect nipples than hate speech
Today, Facebook released its Q1 earnings, which showed the company can still make more money and attract more users year-on-year despite staggering controversy. During a Q&A session after with Mark Zuckerberg and other executives, the CEO fielded a question on artificial intelligence's role in automatically detecting harmful content on the platform. Its AI isn't so good at catching hate speech, but has done a great job intercepting terrorist content. Some things are just easier for robots to spot, Zuckerberg elaborated:
The Engadget Podcast Ep 28: Disconnection Notice
On this episode, managing editor Dana Wollman and senior editor Devindra Hardawar join host Terrence O'Brien on to debate the value of reviving dead products and really dig deep on the value of unplugging. First they'll look at three things primed to come back from the dead: Verizon's unlimited data plans, nudity in Playboy and the Nokia 3310. Then, fresh from a weekend reading by a fireplace and drinking whiskey in the woods, Terrence talks about the importance of unplugging -- even if only for a few hours -- every week. We're more connected than ever and that's a good thing. But even too much of a good thing can be bad for you.
Playboy goes full-frontal, again
Playboy is bringing nudity back to the magazine a year after striking totally bare bodies from its pages. In October 2015, the publication's CEO Scott Flanders said that nudity was "passé" when you can find it in any form imaginable online. But things have changed since last March's controversial nude-free issue, and now founder Hugh Hefner's 25 year-old son seems to be calling the shots. Cooper Hefner, chief creative officer, tweeted out an image with the following quote:
Instagram updates guidelines on nudity and harassment
If you've been using Instagram to post photos of your butt, it's time to stop. Today the social network updated its Community Guidelines with stronger language concerning harassment and more details on images with nudity. The "don't be rude" section of the guidelines has been completely revamped with more definitive rules that state, "it's never OK to encourage violence or attack anyone based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disabilities, or diseases." On the nudity front, bare buttocks, genitals, "some photos of female nipples" and intercourse are a no-go for posts, but images of breastfeeding and mastectomy scarring are allowed.
iPad version of Papers, Please to get nudity restored in update
Papers, Please arrived on iPad this week, but an initial build depicting nudity when players searched the bodies of travelers was rejected by Apple on the grounds of containing "pornographic content." That decision appears to have been reversed however – developer Lucas Pope recently tweeted about a conversation with Apple concerning the denied version, claiming that Apple described that rejection as a misunderstanding. Pope added that Apple has also suggested he resubmit the build that includes nudity. Though news of the rejected build drew ire from fans, Pope stated that the Apple representative "made it clear" that the decision was based on a mistake in their procedures rather than a response to backlash. Pope estimates that an update to restore the option of nudity should be available by next week. Papers, Please will also eventually travel to Vita, though Pope is hesitant to give a launch window for that version, suggesting he "probably announced it too early." [Image: Lucas Pope]
Couples reveal PS4 streaming on Twitch to be a double-edged sword
Twitch streaming on the PlayStation 4 has allowed for the creation of a call-in show, and it's caught the attention of several higher-ups at Sony. Engadget reports that a Washington couple utilizing The Playroom and their PlayStation Camera streamed what they're calling "The Spartan Show" on November 21, and it wasn't long before Shuhei Yoshida, president of Worldwide Studios for Sony Computer Entertainment, and Adam Boyes, head of publisher relations at Sony Computer Entertainment America, joined in. Boyes even phoned in, much to the delight of the couple. Unfortunately, the combined powers of PS4, The Playroom and Twitch have also been used for great evil not so good; GameRevolution reports [Warning: subject matter NSFW] that a man exposed his drunk wife's breast and later stripped her completely naked during a livestream. Twitch banned the offending account, but we have to wonder if we're going to have a Nintendo-shutting down-SpotPass-for-Swapnote situation on our hands.
The Game Archaeologist: Neocron and Neocron 2
It's the distant future. The high-tech battle armor you wear sharply contrasts with the ruins of civilization that you traverse. You spot an enemy and raise your pulse rifle, firing off shots as you strafe to cover. Technology hasn't solved the issue of war; it's just made it that much more bloody. PlanetSide 2? Nope -- this is Neocron, the quite-forgettable MMOFPS from the way-back era. I like to call it "that game with the most regrettable cover art in the history of video games," but that isn't quite as snappy. Going into this article, I have to admit that I previously knew absolutely nothing about Neocron other than the fact that it was a sci-fi MMO that vaguely reminded me of Anarchy Online. Oh, also the fact that nobody I know or perhaps ever will know played it. Is it just a myth? A practical joke to make us believe in a MMO phantom? Only sifting through layers of dust and grime would produce results, so I rolled up my sleeves and started digging.
CCP reveals World of Darkness details to bloodthirsty fans
Details about CCP's World of Darkness are popping out of White Wolf's The Grand Masquerade in New Orleans this weekend, and they're definitely worth draining for every last sweet drop of... information. While the game is still in pre-production -- and as such, nothing is set in stone -- the devs weren't hesitant to dish out a lot of the ideas and features that they hope will make this the best vampire MMO to date. It's CCP's desire to emulate LARPing (live-action roleplaying) as much as possible with World of Darkness, with plenty of metaplots running inside the game and without. Players will begin as a mortal human who can make the choice to become a kindred (vampire) or stay mortal for the duration of their characters' lives. There's a very real danger that characters might experience "final death" -- permadeath -- if they take too many risks. If you get in over your head, you can retreat to your character's Haven for safety. The entire game will take place at night and on one server, and CCP is definitely aiming it toward the hardcore set. Nudity, gore, and insanity effects are all par for the course. If players push outside of the acceptable boundaries too often, they'll lose "humanity" points and could become flagged for constant attack by other players and NPCs. Play your cards right and you may become the prince of the city. The game will change over time with dynamic events, and CCP promises that there will be real consequences for player decisions. Look for our World of Darkness interview with CCP coming later this week. [Thanks Pilgrim for the tip!]
The Daily Grind: What challenges have you added to your game?
I'm always fascinated with stories of players who deliberately add challenges to their MMO gameplay. Sometimes you hear about folks who try to get to the level cap without killing a single creature, or people who play with naked (unarmored) toons, or those who make it their mission to complete every single achievement and quest there is. I see self-created challenges as an attempt to add spice and flavor into games, usually after you've long since gotten bored of the most efficient leveling path. Some players think up these challenges to add a slice of sandbox-style goals into an otherwise theme park-oriented title. Right now, one of my characters in Lord of the Rings Online is attempting to do every single solo quest in each zone before going elsewhere. It's challenging to slow myself down and get over that desire to progress and go for the big XP rewards, but it's a ton of fun so far as well. So, big or small, what challenges have you added to your game? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Danish newspaper protests App Store censorship
According to The Mac Observer, Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet isn't too happy with Apple's App Store policies regarding nudity. In a series of recently published editorials, the newspaper takes issue with Apple banning the Ekstra Bladet iPhone and iPad app because of their Page 9 Girl, a nude photograph of a woman they have been publishing for 34 years. Accusing Apple of double standards and acting like "an American nanny," the paper's Heine Jørgensen writes that he can't understand why they would ban something seen by Danes as "an innocent Danish institution on par with The Little Mermaid." Whether seen as an innocent institution or not, it really shouldn't come as a surprise that Apple has rejected an app from the App Store for nudity. As mentioned here on TUAW before, Apple has not only been banning sexual content in the App Store for quite some time now, but they have also started banning anything seen as controversial, such as the Manhattan Declaration, which we wrote about just last week. While what offends me may not offend you, Apple has to draw the line somewhere -- and they have decided to start with the idea that even "innocent" nudity is sexual content. I can't blame the folks at Ekstra Bladet for being upset at the removal of their app, but them's the rules as they stand right now.
Stop the presses: Witcher Director's Cut adds nudity
CD Projekt's role-playing game The Witcher is getting another update, adding to the content found in the 2008 Enhanced Edition release. Owners of The Witcher: Enhanced Edition will be able to upgrade to the game's Director's Cut free-of-charge via patch. The newest version of the game will also be available for purchase on TheWitcher.com, Impulse, Steam and Direct2Drive. Along with adding updates found in the recent 1.5 patch -- which removed The Witcher's DRM and added new community-created content -- the Director's Cut will restore nudity previously removed from the North American release of the (overly buxom) Enhanced Edition. If staring at digital lady and man bits from an engine that got its original start in 2002 is your thing, The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut is the definitive edition you seek.
Lost & the Damned DLC OK'd for Singapore despite male nudity
Digital dong appreciators in Singapore rejoiced today as government officials have OK'd the digital distribution of the Grand Theft Auto IV 360-exclusive expansion, "The Lost & Damned." Regardless of the "controversy" surrounding the expansion's full-frontal male nudity, Ernest Khoo, Singapore's head of video games and media content at the Singapore Media Development Authority, has deemed the DLC safe enough for consumption in the country.Approaching the nudity issue head on, Mr. Khoo says, "[the scene is] non-sexual and can hence fall within the M18 rating." Expanding on the M18 rating, he explained, "only those 18-years-old and above will be buying the game and its expansion pack." Hopefully, the army of Media Development Authority workers manning individual Xbox 360s in Singapore will be checking IDs. [Via GamePolitics]
Hot flask: GTA IV's Lost, Damned and Unexpectedly Naked
Contextually appropriate character idiosyncrasy, or questionably shaped carrot dangled in front of the gaming press? Either way, Rockstar's latest addition to the Grand Theft Auto franchise -- one of controversy's more intimate acquaintances -- roasts yet another wiener on the fiery debate over mature content in games. Though we're certain most players were expecting a fair amount of dicks in The Lost and Damned's cast, the presence of a penis may come as a surprise. The folks at 1UP (NSFW) have captured the scene between protagonist Johnny Klebitz and massage-loving exhibitionist Mr. Stubbs in all its full frontal glory. If you're going to watch it, be prepared to have an important thought rushing to your head: Is Rockstar cheekily pushing our beloved medium forward, or simply erecting another financially beneficial controversy trap? We're inclined to think that IT'S A TRAP.Source [NSFW]
M-rated Tomb Raider a possibility?
Eidos recently laid off 30 employees at Crystal Dynamics, including Tomb Raider: Underworld creative director Eric Lindstrom. Understandably bitter about Eidos' cost-cutting, Lindstrom is now answering fan questions on a popular Tomb Raider fan forum, giving an intriguing and frank insight into the development process (including details Eidos probably didn't want publicized).One of the more interesting factoids to emerge from Lindstrom's open Q & A session is that Crystal Dynamics was held back by Eidos from making Underworld an M-rated title. "I wanted to do things that a Teen rating prevented," explained Lindstrom, "but I also wanted it to get the players the first unrated games, did. In the end it didn't matter because publishing wanted it to be Teen."So far, the Tomb Raider franchise has contained only Teen-rated games, but was a Mature title still a possibility? Says Lindstrom: "The managers who said it had to be Teen left some time ago, so maybe that could change sometime." We assume such a game would either include more violence, or, as some sites have been quick to suggest, a more risqué depiction of Lara.Though something evidently has to change after Underworld's disappointing sales, does anybody else find such a prospect depressing? We'd prefer it if Eidos concentrated on shipping games that, y'know, functioned correctly. Also, while we're discussing Underworld, we figured this would be an appropriate place to mention the Zero Punctuation review, which just popped up in our RSS feeds -- catch the video after the jump!%Gallery-29889%
The Best of Massively: Our top 5 weirdest news stories
We're still counting down to Massively's first birthday by compiling the best and most entertaining coverage we've done. So far we've listed our most important interviews and our most helpful guides. This time around, we're looking back at the top five strangest, weirdest and sometimes-raciest news stories we've covered since we launched last November.Whether you missed these stories or you're just ready for a refresher, we hope they'll make you smile and laugh -- or at least make you raise an eyebrow or two! Click to start >> %Gallery-33582%
