eBay Announces Restrictions On Selling ‘Adult Japanese Media’

Popular buy-and-sell website eBay announced that they are officially removing their "Adult Only" category. The company will be removing the listing, and users are no longer allowed to add new listings in the category beginning June 15. eBay describes nudity as "showing any part of male or female genitalia, anus, or female breasts where the areola or nipple is visible;" "modeled clothing that is see-through or very tight and shows human genitalia, the anus, or the nipple/areola of female breasts;" "male erections, even if the model is clothed;" and "people engaged in sexual contact or activity."

In relation to this, the company is also forbidding the sellers of the website to sell "items showing sexual activity, sexual content or sexually suggestive poses."

With this new policy, it means that any form of "adult Japanese media" such as hentai, yaoi, and related sexually explicit media of any form are no longer allowed.

In the case of artwork, eBay clarified that they are still allowed in the listing as long as the sellers add them to the "Art and Collectibles" category instead. As for sex toys and sex accessories, they are still allowed to be listed on the site as long as the items "do not include images of nudity or sexual content."

Although this new policy will be taking place, eBay made exceptions to big magazine publications like "Playboy", "Playgirl", "Mayfair", and "Penthouse." They are still allowed to be sold on the site just as long as the listing does not contain nude images or explicit content and they are listed under the "Magazines" category.

Users can still relist their items from the "Adult Only" category just as long as it follows the site's new regulations. However, if the said item blatant shows nudity and showing sexual activity of any kind are already forbidden to be listed on the site.