Neena de Ville

NAME: Neena de Ville
CENSORSHIP: Account ban

What reason was given for your ban?

For being sexually suggestive.

Why do you think your post(s) was censored?

I think this is a direct fallout of Sesta/Fosta and payment processors cracking down on adult content creators. We’re seeing a lot of new, conservative bills being signed into law disguised as sex trafficking deterrents. But ultimately these laws are laying the foundation for widespread censorship, forcing online sites to use AI and algorithms to police the content posted.

Were you able to appeal and what was the response?

I appealed and got no response. So I paid someone with connections to help me get my account back. I got it back for 12 hours, and then it was deleted again.

What effect has your experience of censorship had on you?

I’ve lost a key way that I connect with my community (the Fetish community). Having this way of connecting severed has had a direct effect on my mental health being, my safety, creative collaboration opportunities and therefore income. As a sex worker, I rely on information that is passed around via social media in order to stay safe. I know a girl a few years ago that had a ton of followers who got deleted and ended up getting addicted to heroin again soon after. She was a big figure in the community. I’m sure being so visible and connected kept her from sinking back into her addiction, but once it was gone, it must have been hard to stay hopeful and positive.

What’s one thing you want people to know about this topic?

That censorship of sexuality on the internet is harmful, especially to marginalized communities like sex workers, POCs and the LGBTQ+ community.