Documented history of payment processor censorship and activist campaigns
Open letter sent to executives of PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Paysafe, Discover, and JCB stating: "Your corporations facilitating and profiting from rape, incest and child sexual abuse game sales. We are writing to request that you cease processing payments on gaming platforms which host rape, incest, and child sexual abuse themed games."
Ana Valens reports: "VICE's owner Savage Ventures has requested the removal of my Collective Shout articles. This is due to concerns about the controversial subject matter—not journalistic complaints. Effective immediately, I will no longer contribute to Waypoint."
Founder Leaf Corcoran confirmed the "sudden and disruptive" move is the direct result of an ongoing campaign by Collective Shout, an organization critics have alleged is "anti-porn."
Steam updated its game publisher rules to include a clause that prohibits content in violation of any standards set forth by Steam's payment processors, banks, or network providers.
Collective Shout petition calling on Target to withdraw Grand Theft Auto V for "extreme violence against women" - successfully resulting in the game's removal from Target Australia stores.
Following Collective Shout's petition citing "extreme violence against women," Target Australia removes Grand Theft Auto V from all stores.
Visa and Mastercard suspend services to Pornhub, forcing the removal of over 10 million videos - approximately 80% of all content.
OnlyFans announces ban on sexually explicit content due to pressure from banking partners and payment providers, later reversed after backlash.
Ongoing policy changes at Patreon restricting adult content creators, citing payment processor requirements.
Gumroad removes NSFW content including VTuber avatars and adult-themed digital products following payment processor pressure.
Open letter sent to six major payment processors demanding they cease processing payments for gaming platforms hosting adult content.
Steam adds clause prohibiting content that violates standards set by payment processors, banks, or network providers.
VICE's owner demands removal of Ana Valens' articles about Collective Shout, citing "controversial subject matter." Valens announces departure from Waypoint.
Leaf Corcoran publicly confirms platform changes are direct result of Collective Shout campaign targeting payment processors.
Visa and Mastercard suspension forced removal of all unverified content.
Near-total ban reversed only after massive backlash and creator protests.
Complete removal of NSFW content including digital avatars and assets.
Steam and itch.io implementing policy changes in response to pressure.
"Your corporations facilitating and profiting from rape, incest and child sexual abuse game sales."
- Collective Shout, Open Letter to Payment Processors, July 11, 2025
"VICE's owner Savage Ventures has requested the removal of my Collective Shout articles. This is due to concerns about the controversial subject matter—not journalistic complaints. Effective immediately, I will no longer contribute to Waypoint."
- Ana Valens, July 20, 2025 at 6:52 AM
"The sudden and disruptive move is the direct result of an ongoing campaign by Collective Shout."
- Leaf Corcoran, itch.io Founder, July 23, 2025
"Content in violation of any standards set forth by Steam's payment processors, banks, or network providers."
- Steam Publisher Rules Update, July 16, 2025