It was supposed to make Twitter more fun but apparently other users have other things in mind. The new Vine app designed for video-sharing with iPod and iPhone is starting to have porn problems after just less than a week of being online. The use of the new app actually does not prohibit pornographic or adult content; unfortunately, Apple guidelines restrict applications with pornographic items on its App Store.
It’s Supposed to be More Fun
The app was given a go last Thursday (January 24, 2013) by Twitter as an additional video-fun feature users can enjoy. They may create six-second clips and share them immediately with their tweets. The unique way the videos run on Twitter makes it more exciting, presenting choice cuts or summaries of whole contents into short and swift clips.
But then other different minded users began using it for posting porn clips drawn through laptops and from some TV programs. Nick Bilton from New York Times had mentioned the fact about the plethora of porn and sex materials being easily available online, insinuating how easy it would be for users to post such videos on Twitter now that Vine is on—and especially without Vine mentioning anything about the matter in its terms of service.
Twitter is known to promote freedom of expression online, but having porn materials on its webpage can also mar its image of being a decent social network site. Vine is intended for “abbreviated” videos of stuff that make life good, like good experiences, exciting moments, happy instances. And Twitter counts on users’ good judgment when translating things that make life good into videos. But apparently, Twitter’s tacit expectation was misread by some.
The Terms
In summary, the terms of service for Twitter go like this: users are solely responsible for the tweets they post, and that goes for the consequences, too. They are reminded that their posts are viewed by other users and even non-members who are online can view them through third party posting. Users must make sure that they can be comfy with their tweets when seen by others, and some folks add that users should be comfy with their posts if they’re own children should see them on Twitter.
How Users are Protected from Malicious Videos
Anyway, users who detest seeing porn clips on Twitter can easily protect themselves from the same: simply flag them. Enough flags award the clip with a pre-viewing warning to alert decent users of its presence and gives them the option to bypass it.
However, if the clips are reported and proven to be real eye sores to decency (and violating Twitter guidelines as well), they will be trashed. Users posting them may even be banned or terminated as with how Twitter penalized offensive accounts. [via]
