eBay update: Removal of ‘Adult Only’ category and ban on certain ‘adult items’ begin next month

eBay is updating its policy on the selling of adult items. The e-commerce corporation is also removing the Adult Only category as part of its new rules starting next month.

The auction site updated its support page, as first spotted by Kotaku, to inform sellers and buyers of upcoming changes related to the listing of adult items on its platform. The new policy generally prohibits materials that depict nudity and “adult items with content that is illegal.”

The list of items that will not be allowed under eBay’s policy includes adult movies and video games that are rated X, XXX, R18, and unrated or intended for an adults-only audience. This also covers copies of sexually explicit anime, comics, books, and manga. However, other magazines like issues of Playboy, Penthouse, Playgirl, and Mayfair can be posted provided the listing does not include images with nudity or explicit content.

GamesIndustry.biz suggests the policy might not significantly affect the selling of AAA video games, even the ones rated for mature audience. Regulatory boards in different regions also rarely slap AAA titles with its highest age ratings as these are usually given to games with extremely sexual and violent depictions.

Auction of nude art will be allowed under several conditions. They should not depict “sexually suggestive poses or sexual acts” and contain images that fall into the site’s definition of prohibited nudity, which is stated on the policy page. Nude arts that do not go against the rules can be listed under Art and Collectibles categories.

eBay also defined several requirements that sellers should meet to be allowed to list sex toys and accessories. For one, the seller must have a pre-approved account. The items need to be new and in their original packaging. eBay will also prohibit items listed with international shipping, possibly in consideration of different regulations in various countries. These items can be filed under the Health & Beauty > Health Care > Sexual Wellness categories.

eBay is also removing all categories previously labeled as “Adult Only” starting June 15. “We want to make adult items available to those who wish to purchase them and can do so legally, while preventing those who do not wish to view or purchase these items from easily accessing them,” eBay explained.

Photo by Steven Arnold from Wikimedia Commons licensed under Creative Commons CC BY 3.0