Mastercard Revisions for Adult Industry Merchants
Mastercard recently sent out a bulletin highlighting significant revisions for merchants operating in the adult industry. At Corepay, we specialize in adult merchant accounts and consider these updates crucial for adult industry merchants.
These revisions aim to mitigate risks associated with illegal activities, protect brands, and ensure safety and compliance. Below, we break down the changes and their potential impact on your business.
Why Are These Revisions Being Implemented?
The revisions are designed to reduce risks of illegal activities, brand damage, and harm to individuals. These measures aim to protect processors, card companies, businesses, and customers. They also help merchants comply with industry standards, preventing unexpected penalties.
Key Revisions Effective October 16, 2021
- Sign agreements verifying written consent, identity, and age of individuals depicted in uploaded content.
- Allow only verified content providers to upload content.
- Establish processes for verifying the identity and age of content creators.
- Enable content removal requests from depicted individuals.
- Review uploaded content before publication to ensure compliance with Mastercard standards.
- Monitor live-streamed content in real-time, with the ability to remove violating material.
- Ensure marketing and search terms do not imply content involving child exploitation or non-consensual activities.
- Implement a complaint process to report and review flagged content, with monthly reports to acquirers.
- Prohibit promotion of human trafficking, sex trafficking, or physical abuse.
- Provide Mastercard temporary account access for reviewing content behind paywalls upon request.
How These Revisions Impact the Adult Industry
While aimed at eliminating illegal activities, the revisions could slow content creation and earnings for independent performers. Businesses relying on user-generated content or live-streaming platforms like OnlyFans or Twitch may face challenges adapting to real-time content review requirements.
Who Will Be Affected the Most?
Independent streamers on platforms such as Twitch and OnlyFans might feel the most impact, especially if they rely on rapid content creation. However, these changes primarily target bad actors engaging in illegal activities. Businesses operating legally must ensure compliance with the new standards.
Will Other Credit Card Brands Follow Mastercard’s Lead?
It is highly likely that major card brands like Visa and Discover will adopt similar measures to protect their reputations and mitigate risks.
Potential Challenges for Adult Merchants
One of the biggest concerns for adult merchants is the possibility of account terminations due to suspected violations. For instance, streamers using platforms like Twitch to redirect users to adult content could face scrutiny, even if they comply with platform terms of service.
To mitigate risks, merchants should proactively communicate with platforms like Twitch and ensure compliance with both their policies and Mastercard’s guidelines.
Overview and Recommendations
These revisions aim to ensure safety, compliance, and legal operations. However, independent performers and social media companies may face financial challenges if adult-related advertisements or content are restricted.
At Corepay, we recommend adhering to all major credit card brand guidelines to ensure uninterrupted payment processing. Should you have any questions about these revisions or your adult merchant account, please contact us at in**@co*****.net.
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