The policy prohibits or restricts businesses that provide adult content, pornography, adult video-on-demand, adult escort services, prostitution, or adult live chat features from using Stripe's payment processing services, with specific treatment depending on the jurisdiction and product type.
This analysis describes what Stripe's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision directly affects platform businesses that host or facilitate adult content monetization, requiring them to assess whether their model falls within the prohibited or restricted category before processing payments through Stripe; operators of platforms in this space that have not obtained written approval face the risk of account termination.
Interpretive note: The document does not clearly delineate which specific adult content subcategories are absolutely prohibited versus which require prior written approval, creating ambiguity for businesses in adjacent categories.
Under this provision, businesses providing adult content or services are either prohibited from using Stripe or must obtain prior written approval depending on the specific product type and jurisdiction. Operators of adult content platforms should verify their classification under the current version of this policy before onboarding.
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"Adult content and services (e.g., pornography, adult video-on-demand, adult escort services, prostitution, adult live chat features) are listed among the categories that are prohibited or restricted from using Stripe's services.Excerpt from Stripe's Restricted Businesses List
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Adult content businesses interact with FTC regulations on deceptive advertising and COPPA where minors may be affected, as well as state-level obscenity and licensing laws.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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This provision directly affects platform businesses that host or facilitate adult content monetization, requiring them to assess whether their model falls within the prohibited or restricted category before processing payments through Stripe; operators of platforms in this space that have not obtained written approval face the risk of account termination.
Under this provision, businesses providing adult content or services are either prohibited from using Stripe or must obtain prior written approval depending on the specific product type and jurisdiction. Operators of adult content platforms should verify their classification under the current version of this policy before onboarding.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 282 platforms. See the full comparison.
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