WASHINGTON - Google said Tuesday it would ban sexually explicit content or "graphic nudity" on its Blogger platform, asking users to remove the material by March 23.
Google says users will be able to export the blog to another platform if they don't want to remain on the Blogger platform
In an update to its policies, Google said it would still allow nudity "if the content offers a substantial public benefit, for example in artistic, educational, documentary, or scientific contexts."
The update said users with sexually explicit content may remain on the platform as a "private" blog that can only be viewed by the administrator and persons with whom the link is shared.
Users will also be able to export the blog to another platform if they don't want to remain on Google, the policy said.
Until now, Google's policy had banned certain illegal activities including child pornography or pedophilia.
The update by Google comes a year after Twitter-owned Vine made a similar change to ban explicit video clips.
Google's new policy elicited complaints over Twitter, with some calling it censorship.
Violet Blue, who pens the human sexuality blog tinynibbles.com, tweeted, "Censoring this content is contrary to a service that bases itself on freedom of expression."
Another blogger, Carin McLeoud, said, "google's email about adult content on blogger treats adult content as though it harms people and nothing comes from it."
Twitter user Matt Adlard wrote, "Has #Google gone too far with its self styled #censorship on peoples Blogs?? Are we not adults to decide our own fate and what we watch??"