Tumblr Adds Sensitive Content Toggle on iOS

Tumblr Introduces Sensitive Content Toggle for iOS App

For several weeks, Tumblr suppressed search results on iOS for specific tags to adhere to the App Store’s regulations. Now, Tumblr is implementing a solution by launching a sensitive content toggle within its iOS application. This toggle allows users to actively choose to view sensitive content.

How the New Toggle Works

Upon searching for a tag considered sensitive – for instance, “marijuana” – the updated Tumblr iOS app will initially conceal search outcomes. A notification will then appear, offering the user the option to disable the sensitive content filter to reveal the search results. Selecting “show me the settings” directs users to the Tumblr website via their mobile browser, rather than presenting an in-app menu.

Changes made to your settings necessitate a restart of the iOS application to become effective. Following this, users will be able to view search results, even those including potentially controversial fan art.

What Content is Considered Sensitive?

Tumblr clarifies that when the “Hide Sensitive Content” toggle is activated, the app will filter out post recommendations containing sensitive tags, blogs featuring sensitive material, and searches utilizing sensitive tags. Sensitive content, as defined by Tumblr, differs from explicit adult content.

Tumblr distinguishes between sensitive and adult content, stating that adult content – encompassing GIFs, images, videos, or illustrations depicting sexual acts or genitalia – remains prohibited. Sensitive content, however, represents material that may not be suitable for all audiences but does not breach community standards.

“This web toggle specifically addresses content that falls into this gray area,” Tumblr explained to TechCrunch. “Content deemed appropriate across Tumblr remains unaffected by this setting.”

Toggle Disabled: Accessing More Content

With the new toggle disabled, users can view sensitive search results that comply with community guidelines. They can also navigate through an overlay to access blogs flagged as explicit, although the explicit content itself will still be hidden on iOS. Users with the toggle off will also receive recommendations for potentially sensitive content.

Potential for Over-Filtering

Testing revealed that even seemingly harmless tags can trigger the warning pop-up when the toggle is enabled. For example, the tag “submission” is blocked unless the user opts out of the sensitive content filter, due to its potential sexual connotations. This presents a challenge, as the tag is frequently used in a non-sexual context on Tumblr – to denote content submitted by another user.

Previous Content Filtering Measures

Tumblr previously offered a similar toggle to block adult material directly within iOS Settings, requiring users to actively opt-in to view such content. However, this earlier toggle focused on prohibiting the pornographic content Tumblr hosted prior to its 2018 decision to officially ban all pornography from its platform.

Balancing User Experience and App Store Guidelines

“These recent updates aim to provide our iOS app community with greater control over their experience, allowing them to tailor it to their preferences and explore content they find engaging,” Tumblr stated in a blog post. “Maintaining a positive experience for our community is paramount, while also ensuring compliance with both Apple’s App Store Guidelines and our own established guidelines.”

Updated January 12, 2021, 11:00 AM EST with further clarification from Tumblr regarding the distinction between sensitive and adult content.