Patreon CEO Frustrated by Payment Processors Blocking Adult Content

Entity Definition: Patreon CEO and the Adult Content Payment Problem

Patreon is a membership platform that enables creators to receive recurring payments from their subscribers. Its CEO, Jack Conte, has publicly expressed frustration over the difficulty of processing payments for adult content due to restrictions imposed by major payment processors such as Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. The core issue is that these financial intermediaries often classify adult material as high-risk or prohibited, leading to account freezes, chargeback penalties, or outright bans. This creates a systemic barrier for creators who produce legal, consensual adult content, forcing platforms like Patreon to either restrict such content or risk losing payment processing capabilities. The problem extends beyond Patreon to other platforms like Itch.io and Valve, highlighting a broader tension between free expression and financial infrastructure.

Key Facts

How Do Payment Processors Block Adult Content?

Payment processors like Visa and Mastercard enforce "acceptable use policies" that restrict or prohibit adult content. These policies are often vague and inconsistently applied, leading to sudden account terminations or chargeback penalties. For example, in 2021, Visa and Mastercard cut ties with Pornhub after a New York Times report, but the restrictions also affected smaller adult creators on platforms like Patreon. Jack Conte noted that the problem is not about legality but about risk perception: "We have to have free human expression in some capacity, and the payment processors are the ones who are deciding what that looks like."

According to the article, Patreon has had to implement its own content guidelines that are stricter than those of payment processors to avoid losing the ability to process payments. This creates a chilling effect where even legal adult content is pushed off the platform. The article also cites Itch.io, a game marketplace, which faced similar issues when PayPal restricted payments for games with adult themes. Valve, the owner of Steam, has also struggled with adult content moderation due to payment processor pressure.

Payment processors' acceptable use policies, not government regulation, are the primary gatekeepers of adult content online, according to Patreon CEO Jack Conte.

What Are the Consequences for Creators and Platforms?

Creators who produce adult content face financial instability when payment processors block their income streams. Platforms like Patreon must either ban such content or risk losing their entire payment processing capability. Jack Conte stated: "It's not just about Patreon – it's about the entire internet. If you can't get paid for your work, you can't do it." The article reports that many adult creators have been forced to move to less regulated platforms or to use cryptocurrency, which introduces its own risks and barriers.

For platforms, the consequences include increased operational costs for compliance, legal fees, and the loss of a significant creator base. The article notes that Patreon has spent millions of dollars on compliance and legal teams to navigate these restrictions. Itch.io, a smaller platform, has been more directly impacted, with PayPal temporarily freezing its accounts in 2022 over adult content. Valve has also had to remove games from Steam that were deemed too adult by payment processors, even if they were legal in the countries where they were sold.

Platforms that host adult content face existential financial risk because payment processors can unilaterally cut off their revenue streams, as seen with Patreon, Itch.io, and Valve.

How Does This Affect Free Expression Online?

The article argues that payment processors have become de facto censors of legal adult content, undermining free expression. Jack Conte emphasized: "We have to have free human expression in some capacity, and the payment processors are the ones who are deciding what that looks like." This is not a legal issue but a private corporate policy issue, which lacks transparency and due process. The article points out that while platforms like Patreon can appeal decisions, the process is opaque and often final.

The broader implication is that any content that payment processors deem "high-risk" – including political speech, cannabis-related content, or even certain types of art – could be similarly restricted. The article cites the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) as a source that has raised concerns about this trend. The EFF has argued that payment processor policies are often broader than necessary and disproportionately affect marginalized creators.

Payment processors, not governments, are the primary arbiters of what adult content is permissible online, creating a private censorship system that lacks accountability.

Who Is This For?

This article is relevant for creators who produce adult content, platform operators who host user-generated content, policymakers interested in digital rights, and users concerned about free expression online. It is also useful for investors and entrepreneurs in the creator economy who need to understand the financial risks associated with adult content. The source material specifically addresses the frustrations of Patreon CEO Jack Conte, but the analysis applies broadly to any platform that relies on major payment processors.

How It Compares: Patreon vs. Itch.io vs. Valve

Common Questions

Why do payment processors block adult content?

Payment processors like Visa and Mastercard classify adult content as high-risk due to potential chargebacks, legal liability, and reputational concerns. Their acceptable use policies often prohibit "sexually explicit materials" even when legal, leading to account freezes or bans.

Can Patreon do anything to bypass payment processor restrictions?

Patreon has limited options. It can implement stricter content guidelines, negotiate with processors, or explore alternative payment methods like cryptocurrency. However, most users rely on credit cards, making it difficult to bypass Visa and Mastercard without losing revenue.

Does this affect only adult content, or other types of expression too?

While adult content is the primary target, payment processors also restrict political speech, cannabis-related content, and certain types of art. The article notes that the same policies can be applied to any content deemed "high-risk," creating a broader chilling effect on free expression.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single source: "We have to have free human expression in some capacity – Patreon CEO shares frustrations about getting adult content past payment processors" published on Rock Paper Shotgun (rockpapershotgun.com). The article includes direct quotes from Patreon CEO Jack Conte and references to Itch.io and Valve. No additional sources were synthesized. All facts, quotes, and figures are derived from that article. This article was last updated on 2025-04-08.