X, formerly Twitter, is trying out a new feature. It lets people create or join groups focused on “adult content” or other “not safe for work” material. This is happening as online safety, especially for young users, is getting more attention from lawmakers.
Screenshots discovered by Daniel Buchuk, an analyst at Watchful, show that X users can mark their groups as having “adult-sensitive content.” These groups will be labeled as “adult content,” while unmarked groups might have their content filtered or removed. X is also thinking about adding age verification for groups with adult content. This fits with its current rules, which restrict explicit content for users under 18 or those who haven’t specified their birth date.
Dong Wook Chung, a senior software engineer at X, said that the new labeling system aims to make the community safer by limiting access to NSFW content to users who have verified their age. A spokesperson for X confirmed Chung’s association with the company but did not share more details.
This move shows X’s effort to stand out in social networking by openly allowing NSFW content, unlike Twitter, which has been more cautious.
Communities on X can be private, but it’s not clear yet if the social media network will need to confirm the age of users to access groups with adult content. X’s rules currently say that people under 18 or those who haven’t listed their birth date can’t view “graphic media, adult nudity, and sexual behavior.”
Previously, Twitter’s executives had considered a subscription service like OnlyFans for adult creators but dropped the idea due to concerns about regulating harmful content, including child pornography.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, supports a permissive content policy, wanting the platform to allow almost all legal content. While X allows discussions on sensitive topics, it bans explicit content in live videos and profile images, as well as its promotion through ads.
Despite the ongoing test, it’s uncertain when—or if—the feature will be available to more users. There’s a chance it could be abandoned due to ongoing scrutiny over online safety measures.
