a day ago
- Itch.io delisted over 17,000 games because Mastercard threatened to cut payment services, not by the platform's own choice.
- An Australian activist group, Collective Shout, pressured Mastercard, using the goal of combating sexual violence as a pretext that led to financial coercion.
- Itch.io is a vital hub for independent creators, but was forced to remove content instantly to avoid being shut down entirely.
- The removals included games about healing from sexual violence and LGBTQ+ stories, not just NSFW content, harming diverse storytelling.
- This action undermines vulnerable creators, especially women and queer artists, by silencing them and cutting off income.
- The precedent allows financial institutions to enforce narrow moral views on art, causing creators to avoid sensitive topics out of fear.
- The community must support creative freedom and advocate for nuanced safety conversations, not dictated by financial coercion.