Etsy's Ban on Sex Toys Sparks Seller Backlash Amid New Policy Changes

Jul/15/2024

Etsy’s recent ban on sex toys and explicit items has sparked outrage among sellers, who predict significant revenue losses. The policy, which takes effect on July 29, also bans items exposing female nipples or buttock clefts when modeled. Etsy, known for handmade and vintage goods, claims the changes reflect industry trends and enhance user safety. However, affected sellers, feeling betrayed by the marketplace they helped build, foresee plummeting revenues and challenging transitions to new platforms. Etsy’s move to ban sex toys and certain explicit items has triggered a significant backlash from its seller community. From July 29, the marketplace will prohibit items that, when modeled, expose female nipples or buttock clefts. Etsy justifies these new regulations by citing "evolving industry standards" and the need to ensure user safety. However, sellers argue this policy shift feels like a betrayal. Anna, founder of Simply Elegant Glass, stated, "As creators who have helped make Etsy what it is and who have remained loyal to their platform for years, we feel betrayed." Anna, who specializes in handcrafted glass sex toys, fears the policy will devastate her business. She suggests that Etsy could have addressed these concerns by implementing stricter content filtering tools rather than imposing a blanket ban. The policy change has broader implications beyond individual businesses. Payment processors increasingly avoid platforms associated with adult commerce, pressuring Etsy to act. Yet, sellers argue the new rules are too harsh. Many rely heavily on Etsy for sales and will struggle to find similar exposure elsewhere. A Czech-based premium silicone sex toy seller expressed concern, noting that without Etsy, many businesses might face immediate financial hardships. Mike Stabile of the Free Speech Coalition criticized Etsy’s approach as "sweeping sitewide censorship," while some sellers appreciated the tighter regulations, supporting them in Etsy forums. As the debate continues, the question remains whether Etsy’s measures will indeed foster a safer marketplace or simply drive away its unique artisan community. Chart below shows Etsy's annual gross merchandise sales for 2023, broken down by platform category.