As quarantine lingers on (and on), more and more people are turning to virtual platforms to fulfill their, ahem, needs. “Zoom sex parties” are officially a thing, but in a statement to Rolling Stone, the company says it really doesn’t want people using its app for x-rated purposes.
“Zoom’s user policies explicitly prohibit any obscene, indecent, illegal, or violent activity or content on the platform,” a spokesperson for the company says.
Related: 3000 guys showed up to an online sex party in the UK
The spokesperson adds that the company is prepared to take “number of actions” against anyone who uses the platform for “any activity that is harmful, obscene, or indecent, particularly as would be understood in the context of business usage,” including “displays of nudity, violence, pornography, [and] sexually explicit material.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“We encourage users to report suspected violations of our policies, and we use a mix of tools, including machine learning, to proactively identify accounts that may be in violation.”
Related: Judge working from home caught shirtless during court hearing on Zoom
There are also security issues to be concerned about. The company is currently under investigation for its data and security practices. Then there’s also “zoombombing,” when hackers break into conference calls. And the fact that a person can easily record a virtual sex party and then upload it to another site later.
One gay man from Brooklyn who goes by the pseudonym Oscar Buzz tells Rolling Stone that he’s not worried about any of this.
Buzz says he’s been using Zoom to host nightly sex parties for queer men, describing them as “a way to connect with the community, make sure they’re OK, and make sure they feel good about themselves.”
Related: Coronavirus and sex: What gay guys need to know before hooking up
And he doesn’t care what Zoom has to say about it either.
“I think this is another instance of a business that wants to pretend it doesn’t do these things, but of course it does,” he says.
Gay sex columnist Dan Savage agrees. Earlier this week, he tweeted, “Seems like Zoom could maybe turn a blind eye to consenting adults organizing safe online sex parties on their platform. How hard would that be?”
I don't know… seems like Zoom could maybe turn a blind eye to consenting adults organizing safe online sex parties on their platform. How hard would that be?
— Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) April 20, 2020
What are your thoughts on Zoom sex parties? Sound off in the comments section below…
QJ201
Queer men don’t need zoom, there are PLENTY of options that already exist.
Creamsicle
Hilarious.
Let’s all just take a beat and use this pandemic to acknowledge that humans are all a bunch of crazy, horny, ratchet hos when we’re left to our own devices for long enough. We’re Zooming into court proceedings shirtless and living in an endless sequence of sweatpants.
When we’re not forced to perform like suited up monkies, we can finally be people instead of one-dimensional caricatures of how we think people in our positions are supposed to act and dress.
Mister P
Why does Zoom even care?
Gary Q VV
This is just another example of “the man” trying to get us all under his thumb. Relax Zoom, and every other entity that’s pushing its beliefs on society. I’ve never given in to anybody or anything …and I’m not about to start now.
artguy1000
Zoom has had a huge problem with creeps using their platform to host child porn “parties” and other illegal activities (there was a major NY Times article about it). That said, sex between consenting adults online shouldn’t be penalized. It’s actually a sign of responsibility right now to hook up via webcam instead of in person.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Based on info above, it seems they have issues significantly more important to address rather than cyber sex sessions ….
Joshua333
Where do some people get off.? (Zoom Apparently)
Josh447
Hmm, sounds like they are getting hammered by the internet police, maybe they don’t care but have to respond. Sex parties are hardly against their listed standards as indecent etc, says the first amendment.
Josh447
However if a sex party got zoom bombed and uploaded, they may get sued by parties who incur harm. It’s always fun to play online unless your life gets destroyed. Then some play bunnies take no responsibility and go for lawsuit bucks. There are definitely things to consider here.
Josh447
Seems the 5 min timer is gone on editing comments. Maybe it was fouled and that’s why we had to keep posting over and over to get a comment to stick due to moderation notices. Time to pre edit for sure if this is permanent.
Kangol2
Are you posting on your phone? Which browser? Or on a laptop? I still see the 5-minute timer.
Kangol2
& as soon as I typed that, it was gone! WTH? Queerty…???
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Weird, I just posted on another thread and the timer appeared. I posted the “Hello” on this thread and no timer… hopefully it’s just a glitch on this particular thread….and the moderation mode is a simple fix. I’ve grown used to it
We all bitch at times at Queerts but it’s still the most accommodating site to express your opinions.
The vile smcubag puke snowflake moderators at LBQT Nation are offended when one calls out those who spew hatred and bigotry against our community.
Josh447
Using my phone w chrome, timer still seems to be off.
Josh447
PWWO, yes I noticed that too. Another thread has the time.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Hello
jon052
Than Zoom should start a separate channel to handle this. What did they think people were going to do in quarantine?
Invader7
Dear Zoom : NO. And when you’re orally servicing me, Swallow my DNA !!!
just me
it just comes to shhow that they are totally spying on you as you use your zoom app.