Whenever you're searching far and wide for something you can't seem to find in a store or on your typical retail site, you likely turn to eBay to see if it's available there. In the U.S., the online marketplace has more than 2,360 categories and its pages and pages of listings are filled with hard-to-find products, rare collectibles, and frankly, some just plain weird items. It probably seems like there's nothing you can't buy on eBay, but, just like any business, the company has the right to change and modify its rules and regulations on what can and can't be sold on its platform. And it appears that eBay has decided to go a little more PG with its offerings: eBay recently announced that they are banning the sale of adult content starting in July.
RELATED: Target Just Banned the Purchase of This One Thing at All Its Stores.
According to a new "Adult Items Policy" page located on eBay's website, the Adult Only category will no longer be available for new listings, effective July 15. The revised guidelines on adult items were posted on May 13, according to Adult Video News, which was the first outlet to report the updated policy.
This means eBay is banning all adult content from being sold on the marketplace, including DVDs, movies, magazines, video games, and domain names. So, any "sexually oriented materials" such as sexually explicit adult films, videos games, anime, comics, books, and magazines will no longer be allowed on the platform.
iStock
The company says it will also prohibit listings of items that contain nudity, which eBay defines as "showing any part of male or female genitalia, anus, or female breasts where the areola or nipple is visible." Even modeled clothing that is see-through or very tight will be restricted from the site as a result.
"We want to make adult items available to those who wish to purchase them and can do so legally, while preventing those who do not wish to view or purchase these items from easily accessing them," the company explained in their notice.
There are a few exceptions to eBay's new policy, however. According to the notice, Playboy, Playgirl, Mayfair, and Penthouse magazines can be listed in the "Magazines" category as long as the listing does not contain nude images or explicit content. Nude collectibles and art that "do not contain displays of sexual activity," as well as sex toys and sex accessories may also be allowed if the listings follow other specific guidelines presented in the notice.
If users do not adhere to this new policy, eBay says it may enact a range of disciplinary measures. The site could end or cancel your listing, hide or demote all your listings from search results, lower your seller rating, restrict your buying or selling abilities, or possibly suspend your account completely. "All fees paid or payable in relation to listings or accounts on which we take any action will not be refunded or otherwise credited to your account," the company warned.
RELATED: The One Thing Every Major Department Store Is Starting to Ban.
