Itch.io Deindexes NSFW Games After Payment Processor Pressure

Itch.io, an indie game marketplace, has deindexed all NSFW games following pressure from the anti-pornography group Collective Shout. Collective Shout targeted payment processors, threatening to cut off Itch.io's ability to process payments unless it removed the games. This has sparked controversy, affecting many developers, particularly those in the LGBTQ+, female, and BIPOC communities, whose games, even award-winning ones, were removed for covering sensitive topics like sex, mental health, or other triggering themes. The incident highlights the immense power payment processors wield over content moderation and their potential negative impact on creators.