Explicit Imagery is Dangerous for Model Society

Even if we wanted to include it, explicit content creates risks that threaten Model Society.

Several years ago, without warning, Model Society was classified as obscene and denied credit card processing services. This stopped the flow of essential income and disrupted our subscription customers' payment accounts, threatening the entire platform.

At any time, we can be classified as porn by business partners, service providers, or local governments.

Websites that are considered pornographic face a complex landscape of restrictions and challenges, from marketing and payment processing to legal compliance and technological implementation. Many porn sites stop doing business in specific states to avoid the most costly burdens of compliance.

These are just a few examples of obstacles we could face:

Visitor age and ID verification requirements: Many states require porn sites to collect user ID information, such as government-issued documents like driver's licenses or ID cards. Some porn sites must exchange data with commercial or government databases to verify user age.

Model age and ID verification requirements: Porn sites must maintain records and age verification for all models and performers. This would apply to all model and photographer accounts. Every nude image uploaded to Model Society would require identity and age documentation for the model.

Advertising restrictions: Any marketing channel that determines Model Society is porn can block us from reaching an audience. The advertising channels available to porn sites are low quality, mired in scams, gambling, and genuinely pornographic content.

Payment processing restrictions: Porn websites must pay higher credit card processing fees. The providers they work with often have poor reputations among card issuers, so transactions are frequently declined (as potentially fraudulent).

We strive to make Model Society an inspiring and safe place for models, photographers, and fans to enjoy and share nude and figurative fine art – openly and without shame. We do our best to shape policy that supports the sensibilities and long-term well-being of Model Society and the global nude art community.