itch.io forced to „deindex” NSFW games after pressure from payment processors

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Today, similar to Steam, the indie digital game store itch.io is removing all adult NSFW (Not Safe for Work) content from its browse and search pages. This is a topic that has gained attention recently, as Collective Shout’s open letter to payment processors has influenced digital storefronts like Steam and Itch.io. As of now, a petition on Change.org has amassed over 50,000 verified signatures, urging companies such as Visa and MasterCard to cease censoring legal fictional content that adheres to the law and platform standards, among other requests.

Itch.io deindexes all adult NSFW content following pressure from payment processors

In simpler terms, itch.io’s statement indicates that their ability to handle payments is vital for every creator on their platform. To keep functioning as a marketplace for developers, they need to maintain good relations with their payment partners and meet compliance requirements promptly. The possibility of payment processors ceasing support could have resulted in everyone losing the ability to receive payments, which put itch.io in a challenging position. They had to act quickly to safeguard the core payment system of the platform. Itch.io expressed regret for not giving creators advance notice and for the suddenness of the actions taken.

In simpler terms, itch.io is performing a thorough review of all its content to make sure they adhere to the rules set by their payment processors. Following this audit, creators will be expected to verify that their NSFW (Not Safe for Work) content conforms to the policies of the payment processors associated with their accounts.

Due to the game “No Mercy,” which was briefly available on itch.io before being banned in April, I find myself joining the organization Collective Shout in their crusade against Steam and itch.io. They’ve raised concerns about the content on these platforms with our payment processors, aiming to bring attention to questionable material that might be found there.

On Reddit, gamers are banding together to bring about change. After hearing that an organization called Collective Shout had approximately 1,000 people contacting Visa and MasterCard, other users have decided to join in, spreading those phone numbers and emails so they can overwhelm their communication channels. They aim to annoy these companies until they feel compelled to reconsider their decision… Regardless of personal opinions about the content, NSFW or otherwise, it is not right for payment processors to have the power to decide what transactions are and aren’t allowed. Reddit users have also circulated a petition from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) urging MasterCard to abandon its unfair policies, which has already gathered more than 100,000 signatures.

Discussing censorship is important, but when companies are compelled to take drastic actions, the situation can become more complicated. The aftermath of itch.io’s decisions has resulted in other games being unintentionally affected. One such game is Consume Me, a highly acclaimed indie title that won the prestigious Seumas McNally Grand Prize at GDC this year. However, when you search for “Consume Me” on itch.io, it doesn’t appear. Fortunately, you can still access the game directly through its itch.io page. Other recipients of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize include critically acclaimed indies like Inscryption, A Short Hike, Return of the Obra Dinn, Outer Wilds, and Minecraft. Employing censorship in a broad and hasty manner often leads to more damage than good.

Should this issue be of concern to you, I’d recommend taking action by signing relevant petitions and reaching out to payment processors through calls and emails, expressing your views. As demonstrated by Collective Shout’s success in inducing change, such efforts have the potential for gamers to achieve similar results.

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2025-07-24 23:32