Itch.io has removed the visibility of all adult NSFW content in response to "scrutiny" from payment processors

Itch.io, a platform for indie games, has removed all adult NSFW content from its browsing and search functionality. This move follows pressure from the platform's payment processors about certain content available on the site.

Leafo, the creator of itch.io, announced this change on July 24 in a post named "Update on NSFW content."

The post states, "We have 'deindexed' all adult NSFW content from our browse and search pages. We understand this decision is sudden and disruptive, and we are deeply sorry for any frustration or confusion it may cause."

This decision arose after scrutiny from payment processors over some site content, highlighted by a campaign from Collective Shout against a game titled No Mercy, once available on itch.io before being banned in April.

On July 11, Collective Shout issued an open letter to major payment processors, including PayPal (a key partner of itch.io), Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and Japan Credit Bureau (JCB), urging them to stop processing payments for platforms facilitating games featuring themes of rape, incest, and child abuse.

The platform emphasized the importance of maintaining its payment processing capabilities: "To ensure we can continue supporting developers, it's crucial to prioritize our relationship with payment partners and make immediate adjustments to remain compliant."

Presently, itch.io is undertaking a detailed review of its content to meet payment processor requirements. Leafo described this period as "time-critical" for the company.

Data will remain inaccessible through browsing or search until the review concludes, after which new compliance protocols will be implemented. These measures will require creators to verify their content adheres to the payment processors' policies linked to their accounts.

Additional changes may involve the deletion of some pages from the platform, with affected users receiving email notifications from support should follow-up be necessary.

Itch.io's action aligns with recent practices by Valve, who recently established new rules dictating unacceptable content on Steam, encouraged by pressure from payment processors.

Though Valve did not directly attribute its new policies to Collective Shout's campaign, a spokesperson did acknowledge to Eurogamer that these decisions were influenced by feedback from payment processors.

"We were informed that certain games could breach the standards of our payment partners and related networks," said Valve to Eurogamer. Consequently, certain games will be withdrawn from the Steam Store to avoid losing vital payment methods, impacting customer purchases of other products and content on Steam.