Tumblr's censorship update hits Android, Safe Mode turn off not working

As a Tumblr user, you might already be aware that the social media and blogging platform, has been going through a tough phase recently.

For those who aren’t aware, PiunikaWeb was the first publication to report last week that Tumblr’s iOS app is no longer available on the Apple App Store and users can’t search for NSFW content on the platform now.

We could see reports from both iOS and Web users about these changes. However, Tumblr for Android apparently remained unaffected all this while. Well, no more.

User comments on the Google Play Store listing of the Tumblr app suggest the November 20 update took away the ability to search NSFW content for Android users as well. Here are some of the comments:

Worst update ever! Used to use the app all the time then they decided to remove NSFW searches and permanently turned on safe search for everyone. Absolutely ridiculous!

since the last update locked safe search on, I have not been able to find other artists and pages

“This update is a beaut” yeah… you’ve managed to lock Search into filtering Adult content with no option to disable it

You’re only making your bed for the people who upload NSFW stuff to go to a different platform. Might as well just delete the app since it’s basically useless now

Similar reports can be seen posted across Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Jordanmelds/status/1064952753120669696

https://twitter.com/gtaelbordo/status/1065291828562341888

So with this, Safe Mode changes made by Tumblr are inline across all platforms: iOS, Android, and the Web.

The reason behind all this Tumblr mess, as you might already know, is the detection of child pornography material on the platform. So it’s not surprising that the company is going after Tumblr blogs that post or share such kind of content.

However, what’s sad is that lot of general NSFW blogs and even some SFW blogs have been purged in the process.

So it’s all a mess at the moment, with no end in sight. We hope Tumblr provides further update on the matter, and everything gets back to normal as soon as possible.

Update (November 22):

Has Tumblr started losing user base? Services like Newgrounds are confirming that they are getting users who migrated fro Tumblr. Details here.

Update (December 03):

Tumblr allowing NSFW ads despite blocking everything explicit. More info here.

Update (December 04):

Want to know why is Verizon owned Tumblr banning adult content December 17 onward? Read our latest coverage on the matter by heading here.

Update (December 04):

Tumblr alternatives/replacements: Newgrounds, Pillowfort, and more. For details, head here.

Update (December 04):

An NSFW Tumblr artist’s Change.org petition (seeking to reverse the adult content ban ) has got over 160,000 signs in 15 hours. For details, head here.

Update (December 04):

Embarrassing but true: Tumblr’s algorithms flagged its own announcement as explicit/adult. Details here.

Update (December 04):

Tumblr’s blanket ban on adult content: Here are some of the hilarious memes we found.

Update (December 05):

An uproar of sorts has broken out on social media over the use of the term “female-presenting nipples” in Tumblr’s official ‘adult content ban’ announcement. We bring you a potential reason behind the use of this term. Details here.

Update (December 05):

Tumblr users are planning a 24 hour ‘log off’ protest against the company’s recently announced porn ban, but will it help? Read our latest coverage by heading here.

Update (October 06):

Want to move Tumblr blog to another platform? Here’s how to export data.

Update (December 07):

BREAKING: A secret new Tumblr alternative might be in offering. Yes, screenshots detailing some features of the new platform have been shared by someone who says they received them from an “anonymous source”. For details, head here.

Update (October 08):

Owl pics? Here’s how Tumblr censor bots are being fooled.

Update (December 09):

We have stumbled upon two more platforms – Explicitr and Suffra – that are also pitching themselves as Tumblr alternatives. More info on them here.

Update (December 09):

For all latest updates on the ongoing Tumblr adult content ban episode, head here.

NOTE: For all latest, breaking news related to Tumblr adult content ban as well as its alternatives, head here.

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