Jump to content

Collective Shout: Difference between revisions

From Consumer Rights Wiki
very minor (1) spelling and (1) contextual correction (sub heading)
PsyChimp (talk | contribs)
m Removed some inflammatory speech and information not pertaining to consumer rights. Also fixed some grammatical errors and typos.
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 11: Line 11:
Collective Shout is an Australian activist group founded in 2009. It identifies itself as "''A grassroots movement challenging the objectification of women and sexualisation of girls in media, advertising and popular culture''".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Collective Shout |url=https://www.collectiveshout.org/faq |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720102043/https://www.collectiveshout.org/faq |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-07 |work=Collective Shout}}</ref>
Collective Shout is an Australian activist group founded in 2009. It identifies itself as "''A grassroots movement challenging the objectification of women and sexualisation of girls in media, advertising and popular culture''".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Collective Shout |url=https://www.collectiveshout.org/faq |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720102043/https://www.collectiveshout.org/faq |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-07 |work=Collective Shout}}</ref>


The activist group became prominent in 2025 after their campaign against payment processors to cause [[Steam]] and [[Itch.io]] to delist hundreds of games, claiming that the games sexualise women.<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Taylor|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/29/mastercard-visa-backlash-adult-games-removed-online-stores-steam-itchio-ntwnfb|title=Mastercard and Visa face backlash after hundreds of adult games removed from online stores Steam and Itch.io|website=The Guardian|date=2025-07-28}}</ref> This action also affected countries outside of Australia.   
The activist group became prominent in 2025 after their campaign against payment processors to cause online gaming platforms [[Steam]] and [[Itch.io]] to de-list hundreds of games, claiming that the games sexualise women.<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Taylor|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/29/mastercard-visa-backlash-adult-games-removed-online-stores-steam-itchio-ntwnfb|title=Mastercard and Visa face backlash after hundreds of adult games removed from online stores Steam and Itch.io|website=The Guardian|date=2025-07-28}}</ref> This action also affected countries outside of Australia.   


Collective Shout has been widely criticized across social media for what many see as a push towards censorship and their usage of questionable methods.  
Collective Shout has been widely criticized across social media for what many see as a push towards censorship and their usage of questionable methods.  
Line 19: Line 19:
===Protest against ''Grand Theft Auto V''===
===Protest against ''Grand Theft Auto V''===


In 2014, the group protested the game ''Grand Theft Auto V'', stating that the game encouraged players to murder women for entertainment.<ref name="RPSCS" /> The game was later banned from two Australian department stores that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30328314|title='Sexually violent' GTA 5 banned from Australian stores|website=BBC|date=2014-12-04}}</ref>
In 2014, the group protested the game ''Grand Theft Auto V'', stating that the game encouraged players to "murder women for entertainment."<ref name=":0" /> The game was later banned from two Australian department stores that year.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30328314|title='Sexually violent' GTA 5 banned from Australian stores|website=BBC|date=2014-12-04}}</ref>


===Pressure campaign against payment processors===
===Pressure campaign against payment processors===
Line 28: Line 28:
Itch.io responded by de-indexing NSFW content on July 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itch.io/updates/update-on-nsfw-content|title=Update on NSFW content|website=Itch.io|date=2025-07-24}}</ref> Itch.io re-indexed free NSFW content on July 31.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itch.io/t/5149036/reindexing-adult-nsfw-content|title=Reindexing adult NSFW content|website=Itch.io|date=2025-07-31}}</ref>
Itch.io responded by de-indexing NSFW content on July 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itch.io/updates/update-on-nsfw-content|title=Update on NSFW content|website=Itch.io|date=2025-07-24}}</ref> Itch.io re-indexed free NSFW content on July 31.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itch.io/t/5149036/reindexing-adult-nsfw-content|title=Reindexing adult NSFW content|website=Itch.io|date=2025-07-31}}</ref>


De-indexing of NSFW as well as SFW LGBTQ+ content continued on Itch.io reportet on August 10th.[https://transnews.network/p/i-feel-violated-queer-creators-lose-livelihoods-in-itch-io-bans]
De-indexing of NSFW content, as well as SFW LGBTQ+ content, continued on Itch.io on August 10th.[https://transnews.network/p/i-feel-violated-queer-creators-lose-livelihoods-in-itch-io-bans]


The group claims to have lobbied payment processors after sending 3,000 emails to Steam and receiving no response.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam at Collective Shout |url=https://www.collectiveshout.org/tags/steam |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720103220/https://www.collectiveshout.org/tags/steam |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Collective Shout}}</ref><ref name="CBCCards">{{Cite news |last=Ore |first=Jonathan |date=31 July 2025 |title=How an anti-porn lobby on payment processors censored thousands of video games |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/steam-itch-takedowns-credit-cards-1.7597563 |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]}}</ref>
The group claims to have lobbied payment processors after sending 3,000 emails to Steam and receiving no response.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam at Collective Shout |url=https://www.collectiveshout.org/tags/steam |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720103220/https://www.collectiveshout.org/tags/steam |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Collective Shout}}</ref><ref name="CBCCards">{{Cite news |last=Ore |first=Jonathan |date=31 July 2025 |title=How an anti-porn lobby on payment processors censored thousands of video games |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/steam-itch-takedowns-credit-cards-1.7597563 |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]}}</ref>


Alongside NSFW content, the group also expressed desire to remove content such as 'Detroit: Become Human'<!-- https://80.lv/articles/no-mouthwashing-wasn-t-removed-from-itch-io-because-of-the-nsfw-purge --> from gaming platforms, mainly for their depicted 'violence against women' alone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barbe |first=Rebecca |date=6 Dec 2017 |title=Stop video game Detroit: Become Human, depicting child abuse being sold in Australia |url=https://www.change.org/p/the-hon-christian-porter-mp-stop-video-game-depicting-child-abuse-being-sold-in-australia |url-status=live |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=change.org}}</ref>
Alongside NSFW content, the group also expressed desire to remove '''Detroit: Become Human''<nowiki/>'<!-- https://80.lv/articles/no-mouthwashing-wasn-t-removed-from-itch-io-because-of-the-nsfw-purge --> from gaming platforms, for depictions of physical abuse against women and children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barbe |first=Rebecca |date=6 Dec 2017 |title=Stop video game Detroit: Become Human, depicting child abuse being sold in Australia |url=https://www.change.org/p/the-hon-christian-porter-mp-stop-video-game-depicting-child-abuse-being-sold-in-australia |url-status=live |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=change.org}}</ref>


The owner of a journalist website Vice allegedly instructed certain articles related to Collective Shout to be removed from their website, due to "controversial subject matter". The Author of the articles and several of her co-workers resigned soon afterwards in protest. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/After-payment-processors-prompt-removal-of-Steam-games-journalists-investigating-the-censorship-resign.1063259.0.html|title=After payment processors prompt removal of Steam games, journalists investigating the censorship resign|website=notebookcheck.net|date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
The owner of a journalist website Vice allegedly instructed certain articles related to Collective Shout to be removed from their website, due to "controversial subject matter." The Author of the articles and several of her co-workers resigned soon afterwards in protest. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/After-payment-processors-prompt-removal-of-Steam-games-journalists-investigating-the-censorship-resign.1063259.0.html|title=After payment processors prompt removal of Steam games, journalists investigating the censorship resign|website=notebookcheck.net|date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
 
===Critic petitions takedown attempt===
The group has also attempted to take down various petitions critiquing their actions, claiming them to be defamatory.{{Citation needed}}
 
===Defense of questionable child acting===
Collective shout has stated the Netflix movie 'Cuties' did not harm children. The child actors were asked to dance sexually on camera. They claimed this "Empowered children."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Over the last week many supporters... - Melinda Tankard Reist {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/100044384471209/posts/10158710725359791/ |website=Facebook |publication-date=2020-08-23}}</ref>  


===Petition take-down attempts===
The group has also attempted to take down various petitions critiquing their actions, claiming them to be defamatory.{{Citation needed}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-08 |title=Change.org removes petition against Collective Shout. |url=https://x.com/Pirat_Nation/status/1953661001980690599 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
==See also==


Line 50: Line 46:


[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Pro-consumer articles]]

Latest revision as of 14:54, 17 August 2025

Article Status Notice: Unacceptable Tone/Word Usage

This article needs additional work to meet the wiki's Content Guidelines and be in line with our Mission Statement for comprehensive coverage of consumer protection issues. Specifically it uses wording throughout that is non-compliant with the Editorial guidelines of this wiki.

Learn more ▼

Collective Shout
Basic information
Founded 2009
Legal structure Private
Industry Lobbying, Activism
Official website https://www.collectiveshout.org/


Collective Shout is an Australian activist group founded in 2009. It identifies itself as "A grassroots movement challenging the objectification of women and sexualisation of girls in media, advertising and popular culture".[1]

The activist group became prominent in 2025 after their campaign against payment processors to cause online gaming platforms Steam and Itch.io to de-list hundreds of games, claiming that the games sexualise women.[2] This action also affected countries outside of Australia.

Collective Shout has been widely criticized across social media for what many see as a push towards censorship and their usage of questionable methods.

Incidents[edit | edit source]

Protest against Grand Theft Auto V[edit | edit source]

In 2014, the group protested the game Grand Theft Auto V, stating that the game encouraged players to "murder women for entertainment."[3] The game was later banned from two Australian department stores that year.[3]

Pressure campaign against payment processors[edit | edit source]

Main article: Valve complying with ISPs and payment processors

In July 2025, Collective Shout launched a public campaign "demanding credit card companies and PayPal block payments" for games on Steam and Itch.io.[4][5]

Itch.io responded by de-indexing NSFW content on July 24.[6] Itch.io re-indexed free NSFW content on July 31.[7]

De-indexing of NSFW content, as well as SFW LGBTQ+ content, continued on Itch.io on August 10th.[1]

The group claims to have lobbied payment processors after sending 3,000 emails to Steam and receiving no response.[8][9]

Alongside NSFW content, the group also expressed desire to remove 'Detroit: Become Human' from gaming platforms, for depictions of physical abuse against women and children.[10]

The owner of a journalist website Vice allegedly instructed certain articles related to Collective Shout to be removed from their website, due to "controversial subject matter." The Author of the articles and several of her co-workers resigned soon afterwards in protest. [11]

Petition take-down attempts[edit | edit source]

The group has also attempted to take down various petitions critiquing their actions, claiming them to be defamatory.[citation needed][12]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Collective Shout". Collective Shout. Archived from the original on 2025-07-20. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  2. Taylor, Josh (2025-07-28). "Mastercard and Visa face backlash after hundreds of adult games removed from online stores Steam and Itch.io". The Guardian.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "'Sexually violent' GTA 5 banned from Australian stores". BBC. 2014-12-04.
  4. Bita, Natasha (15 July 2025). "Child safety group finds 500 online 'games' role-playing rape and incest". The Australian. Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  5. Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (22 July 2025). "Anti-porn group who tried to ban GTA 5 claim credit for Steam's sex game crackdown". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  6. "Update on NSFW content". Itch.io. 2025-07-24.
  7. "Reindexing adult NSFW content". Itch.io. 2025-07-31.
  8. "Steam at Collective Shout". Collective Shout. Archived from the original on 2025-07-20. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  9. Ore, Jonathan (31 July 2025). "How an anti-porn lobby on payment processors censored thousands of video games". CBC. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  10. Barbe, Rebecca (6 Dec 2017). "Stop video game Detroit: Become Human, depicting child abuse being sold in Australia". change.org. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. "After payment processors prompt removal of Steam games, journalists investigating the censorship resign". notebookcheck.net. 2025-08-16.
  12. "Change.org removes petition against Collective Shout". 2025-08-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)