I received this one hour ago …
If you are not aware already, Adult Blog Hub is a UK run and hosted site. This means that we are subject to UK law. In January this year laws were passed that will make it illegal to possess images of what are deemed to be “extreme” pornography. The exact definition of this has been the cause of great debate within the adult world, both online and off.
Sadly the law has been drafted seemingly make the definition almost impossible to accurately interpret. For example it can simply mean that these “extreme” images exist in the browser cache on a PC’s hard drive, indeed what is “extreme” is still a matter of debate
In light of these changes and the ambiguous position it puts us in we have made a decision. Despite the law not affecting us directly, as we do not possess or host images that might be thought of as extreme, some of our members do feature them and other content which could be regarded as in contravention of this new law. While the law does not explicitly make linking to a site containing such images a criminal offence we do not wish to be seen to be encouraging the propagation of these images.
The first case involving the new law is underway and while we regard the whole thing as a hysterical witch hunt we have to be aware of the possible legal impact on ourselves and our readers. This is a sad state of affairs caused by a hysterical reaction by the UK legislature and one that we believe does impact on freedom of expression.
We have therefore had to exclude your site and others from the Adult Blog Hub service. Thank you for your understanding
ABH Support
I am disappointed that a definitive reason was not actually given. I am assuming it would be the recent needle images in the last couple of posts I linked. If I hadn’t linked them I wonder perhaps if it wouldn’t have happened. What annoys me though is there are blog sites which involve BDSM activites and have more images on their blogs that are indeed more revealing than what I have on mine. Wouldn’t it have been a better practice to actually point out the images they did find worrying. I could have easily password protected them and/or removed some. I don’t show my nipples, or vagina or any images of myself fucking on here. So what was it?
Is this blog a pornographic site? No. Do I write about BDSM, sometimes yes. Do I write erotica? Yes. Is that pornographic?
Are needles in skin pornographic?
Good on them for protecting their site, I’m not knocking that at all but I find that a well worded explanation with no actual real reasoning as to what made them decide to pull the site and then sat there looking at the sites that are still left on their list as rather hypocritical.
I’m annoyed. I wonder who else has been excluded?
But hey life goes on.
I have a munch and a fetish night to get organised for.
Chloe
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 10:53:
I like you BECAUSE you’re a rebel.
*grins*
~Chloe, who doesn’t post interesting pictures basically ever.
.-= Chloe´s last blog ..Proverbial STFU =-.
moltenthought
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:03:
I’m thinking they are soon going to think “What have we done!!???”.
Lilly
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:08:
I am VERY confused on this. And I simply do not understand their politician talk. If they’re going to ban like this, then they should at least give explicit reasons otherwise risk bad publicity. Was it the needles? I don’t know. I know I -personally- can’t look at them but it’s only because I’m a wimpy squeamish fuck and I can’t even watch my cat getting a vaccine shot, lol.
If they’re going to exclude then they should give reasons to you and on their site. Was this an email?
.-= Lilly´s last blog ..HNT: A Tease =-.
Lilly
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:09:
Oh and also this from their site:
“Whether you’re into erotic stories, adult journals, images or video you’ll find it here. We welcome everyone from vanilla to the kinkiest of kink, be that spanking, leather, BDSM, retifism or anything else. So long as it’s safe, sane and consenting you can let the world know. ”
(wtf is retifism?!?!)
.-= Lilly´s last blog ..HNT: A Tease =-.
vanimp
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:22:
@Chloe *grin*
@ Lilly That makes two of us I just went through the top list and have found shitloads of blogs with images of cocks in pussies … all sorts including kink. The needles were not a sexual thing it was an exploration of pain. So is *any* image of needles in skin deemed ‘extreme pornography’? I can’t for the life of me figure out if it was anything else as what’s on here is prevalent if not more on other blogs listed on their site. …. I have no idea what etifism is but I’m gonna go google it
vanimp
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:25:
With the last HNT and needle posts I *did* tick the extreme content box simply because I know needles in skin are something that can freak people out. I am wondering if this is now used to gauge blogs to ban????
Not however to say ..’Hey extreme pornographic needles in the skin becareful you might want to wank yourself silly’ … I mean c’mon seriously???
Rafi
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:38:
Porn on your blog? Where? I keep looking and haven’t seen anything. I guess I need to search harder. Needles? And from what you said about this being an “adult” site we are talking about. Sure, I could see an issue on the “church” site. I for one is confused, but then again we are talking about the UK.
.-= Rafi´s last blog ..Darkness =-.
thepinkpoppet
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:39:
Like others, I am totally confused by the political crap and inconsistencies surrounding this…what gives? First off, why is the whole thing so vague and not spelled out as to what constitutes extreme. And have these people actually read this blog? It is not extreme by my definition, so maybe I should be the one they pick to decide what is and is not extreme. I’d give the powers that be a freaking ear full. I love your blog and the fact that you are a rebel. If it was the needles…they are nuts…that is NOT extreme porn..that was not porn at all. Just another prime example of the abuse, overuse and inequitable “justice” doled out by the political and religious-tainted powers that be. Where does this stop? Who is next?
Backseat Boohoo
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:43:
It won’t be long before they outlaw porn altogether. What horse shit.
.-= Backseat Boohoo´s last blog ..Womolia Heat =-.
vanimp
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 11:45:
@Rafi Go figure huh. It’s making me laugh I am anything BUT pornographic lol. I am sat here looking over all the blogs that are still up on their lists and thinking … ummm double standards?
@poppet I doubt they actually have read this blog hun. I am sat here shaking my head and to be quite honest I want nothing to do with a site like that. I find it insulting.
selkie
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 12:33:
I find that incredibly hypocritical – and judgemental in the extreme. Absolutely ridiculous that your site is excluded; your site is eclectic, wide-ranging and interesting – what it is not is a cock and cunt show (BORING in the extreme, sorry, I have no interest in those pruient sites) so I guess they’re excluding the INTERESTING site.
Liras
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 17:38:
Obviously, it does not fit in with the porn-fetish-of-the-moment, so it is ‘extreme’. Just pitiful, the push to tell adults that they cannot decide what is tasteful/distasteful for themselves.
(Any sort of dick-in-pussy stuff will always get the red light of joy, esp if it explores racial boundaries.)
.-= Liras´s last blog ..Curatus =-.
mina
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 17:46:
I don’t know if you remember, but we had a problem with ABH as well a few months ago. Wrote a post about it. They suddenly put us into the reference category of their site instead of erotic blogs. They did this because we became a sex toy review site in their eyes. huh? So I argued with them about it, saying they were so off. I told them, how come you didn’t categorize us as “image” blogs because we post an HNT once a week? Good luck. Obviously we got ourselves sorted out with them. I can completely understand the stupid laws being passed and having to follow them and agree that they should at least tell you why YOU have been chosen.
.-= mina´s last blog ..HNT ~ Stepping Out =-.
ABH Support
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 21:01:
I think some points need emphasising here.
This is your blog and we would not ask you to change what you post or how you post on it; We are not in favour of these new laws, just subject to them.
We had perfectly good laws in the UK – the obscene publications act – which ensures that only adults can see adult material and explicitly bans certain types of content, for example bestiality. The law was changed because of a murder that was blamed (we believe erroneously) on the perpetrator watching “extreme pornography”. As we said, a witch hunt.
The UK is now in the ridiculous position that consenting adults can not even take pictures of their partners, in private for their own consumption if they are regarded as “extreme” by a judge. Indeed the current legal case cited in the email is in danger of linking so called “extreme” sexual images with other sexual crimes. A dangerous precendent.
If you had any queries about the reason for exclusion you only had to ask.
Be true to yourself and be glad your government hasn’t tried to take away your right to free expression. Yet.
ABH Support
subtle
on Aug 16th, 2009
@ 01:16:
I posted a pic of a dildo once – not in me or post-use or anything, just sitting on a desk- and got banned for ‘extreme material’ (this was waaaay I started posting other norti stuff)…So I guess on that scale, needles in your back are gonna get you banned.
The world is full of pussies and do-gooders
.-= subtle´s last blog ..Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most submissive one of all? =-.
vanimp
on Aug 16th, 2009
@ 09:51:
@Liras Agreed
@Mina Yes I do remember and it takes all of five minutes to write a personal email and explain why and perhaps try and remedy the situation or at least discuss it. I won’t be using their service anymore.
@ABH I understand you have laws to abide by. That I do not have an issue with. The issue is the manner it was dealt with, a generic email with no actual valid explanation as to the reasoning WHY you pulled it is what I have an issue with. You could have easily said here why you did so but I still don’t have an explanation. Transparency and treating your users with respect goes a long way. I was disappointed, I still am.
Liras
on Aug 16th, 2009
@ 10:47:
Were you supposed to break out the balloons and cake for that answer from ABH?
.-= Liras´s last blog ..Curatus =-.
Curvaceous Dee
on Aug 16th, 2009
@ 22:23:
As I mentioned yesterday, ABH’s treatment of you, following on from their treatment of Mina and Sylvanus, means I have decided to remove my blog from their site and top-list.
I can’t seem to delete my account with them, but I have removed my blog/links, and the button on my site linking to them is now gone. It’s a start.
It’s also a shame – I have been cross-pollinating to ABH for almost as long as I have been posting. But I don’t need to stay where my friends (not to mention bloggers I respect) aren’t wanted.
xx Dee
viemoira
on Aug 17th, 2009
@ 05:40:
i just wanted to say i too am baffled and stumped- i think your content in much more conservative then many others and i simply do not understand…
i am surprised i have not received such notification… it must have been the needle play pics but come on i cannot agree it is overly extreme.
i understand they have leaglities to abide by but i think a warning or removing that post from the listing would have been more appropriate than removing your blog all together. i am curious- did you check the box when you posted that blog post to say it may be offensive (on ABH??) i wonder if you did not if it would have made a difference if you had?
Sorry to hear and discouraging to me that they would do such to *you* ??!!
~viemoira
.-= viemoira´s last blog ..Marinatiing Your Meat =-.
vanimp
on Aug 17th, 2009
@ 10:24:
@Liras Apparently so but really it answered nothing yet again.
@Dee I am sure there are more options for both of us as far as promoting readership and sharing sites. And re our discussion there may well be another more viable option
*hugs* x
@vie Needles in skin with no sexual connotations is not extreme pornography. Just as piercing isn’t considered to be so either. It was tasteful and well written about. There was no sexual play involved and needle play is simply temporary piercing. There is erotica here but it is ‘fiction’ not fact. Yes I did check the box, I thought it only fair in the sense that I understand many people have phobias with needles and viewing those images may squick them out lol not that it was deemed to be a pornographic set of images.
Belladonnax
on Aug 17th, 2009
@ 23:46:
I’m sorry if the piercing pictures had anything to do with ABH’s strange behaviour. I don’t see how the pictures equate to pornography actually … and this might sound silly but I would get more upset at viewing video of someone jumping out of a plane with a parachute on. We’re all different I guess.