Patreon Censorship Update (Will Blunderfield Must Come Down)
Hey guys, we really regret informing you of this, but we have no choice.
Two days ago, Patreon informed us that if we did not remove our Will Blunderfield documentary, which features a decent amount of male nudity, our Patreon account and page would be completely suspended, which would financially shut down our operation as our entire production budget is reliant on Patreon dollars.
This is disappointing because we initially launched this Patreon with the hopes of being able to distribute uncensored and unfiltered content without hawkish ‘Community Guidelines,' that have limited the reach of our content so dramatically on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
Long story short, we have to completely remove our initial uncensored Will Blunderfield documentary, and re-edit and blur all nudity, the presence of bodily fluids (i.e. urine and dried semen), and all instances of nude contact (I.e. cupping your bro's nuts) based upon 15 ‘Red Flag’ timestamps that were recently sent over by Patreon’s ‘Trust and Safety’ team.
As you guys know, in our dealings with YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Doing Things Media, etc.. (the list goes on), we’ve usually just said ‘YOLO’ and either shitcanned them or just ignored their warnings and kept doing our thing. However in this case, because our business model is so directly linked to Patreon, we have no choice but to comply .. so a squeaky-clean version of the 'Will Blunderfield' documentary will be uploaded within a few days.
For those interested, I’ll break down a chronology of how things went down, with accompanied screenshots. I’ve kept all names of Patreon employees redacted, because I don’t want them to be harassed. We just wanna let you guys know what’s up.
Screenshot 1) - Pre-publishing Approval from my contact: On August 16, two days before the ‘Will Blunderfield’ documentary went live, I reached out to my private contact at Patreon to let him know that we had something explicit in the pipeline. I figured we’d be fine either way (particularly because 2 years ago, with the All Gas No Brakes Patreon, we posted a full blown mid-p*rno interview with Sean Lawless and Kendra Cox), but I figured I’d reach out anyway. I carefully examined Patreon's policy. It seemed like they mostly cared about stopping the spread of sexually explicit content involving minors, which is obviously a good thing, and also stopping Patreon from being used as a p*rnography platforming. I assume the fear there is that Patreon will become like OnlyFans, whose brand identity is synonymous with porn. However, my contact made it clear that as long as the video was flagged 18+, and it was clear that no minors were featured in the video (Will and his friends are clearly men in their Mid 30s), I’d be good to go. So when I posted the initial ‘Will Blunderfield’ documentary, I made that quite clear — I added, ‘DO NOT WATCH if you’re below 18’ to the title and the description of the video.
Screenshot 2) - Account suspension email from ‘Trust and Safety’ Team: On August 23, a week after the video had been up, I woke up to a notification on my Patreon that my account would soon be suspended if I did not remove the ‘Will Blunderfield’ documentary because of the concerns outlined in the following message: “Patreon does not allow p*rnography, which is defined in our guidelines as real people engaged in sexual acts such as intercourse or masturbation.” To me, this was very frustrating. If you've watched the documentary, you'll realize that the entire purpose of Will’s workshop was to encourage ‘platonic male bonding.' The purpose of this ritual was to de-stigmatizing the often homophobic stigma surrounding mutual male nudity, via ‘re-wilding,’ i.e. a return to nature. Several times throughout the documentary, Will and his buddies explicitly remind us of the non-sexual nature of their ‘manhood activation’ ritual. One could potentially argue that there are some pretty horny undertones to Will's workshops, but the way I see it, there's no sexual contact, so it's not p*rn.
Screenshot 3) My response to 'Trust and Safety Team': I responded shortly after with pretty much the exact thoughts I just articulated: “the video that we posted 'Will Blunderfield,' is not at all pornographic, the nudity featured in this video is nudists in Canada performing a ritual called 'platonic male bonding,' which is marketed as being explicitly non-sexual.' However, given the power that Patreon has over our financial stability, I didn't feel like fighting for it, as that may result in the potential loss of our page. I cut straight to the point and asked simply, 'would you like me to re-upload a clean version?.' Shortly after, I went back into the editing studio and made a completely clean version of the doucmentary, which I sent to the Trust and Safety team via WeTransfer. This clean version featured no un-blurred nudity. No cocks or nuts were visible in that new clean version, and I actually left out some sections altogether because they were basically un-editable. But I guess that wasn’t enough .. shortly after I sent my response, the Trust and Safety Team got back to me with their final terms.
Screenshot 4 and 5) A Final Response from ‘Trust and Safety’ Team: Apparently the clean version I edited wasn’t enough. Shortly after sending my clean cut through, I received a final email from the team demanding that I put a harder blur for 15 timestamps, and full obfuscation (i.e. black box) for 7 timestamps. After this email, we were genuinely shocked by the level of Big Brother energy on Patreon's end. Shortly after, I asked again and again for other options. I even asked my private contact at Patreon if we could simply upload a password-protected DropBox link of the initial version. Nope. I even asked if we could upload elsewhere and link to a third-party like PornHub .. Nope. We have a meeting set next week with Patreon's 'Trust and Safety Team,' but we really don't feel like fighting this time. After all, this isn't our platform anyway.
So I’m sorry guys. I have to take down the Will Blunderfield documentary, or this whole operation is bust. In the coming days, I will be uploading an extended, squeaky clean version to Patreon, which I’m sure will be enjoyable as well.
Thanks for all your support.
Best,
Andrew Andrew.
Comments (180)
Keah Mitchall shut the fuck up already
rip the bandaid off and get off patreon. The only way to be truly independent.
You should probably respond to your multiple Sexual Assualt allegations
they are fake
Post it publicly to PornHub. ♥
Dude fuck yes lmao
Just upload it somewhere else and post the link ?!
nooooo 😭 now all i have is memories of their balls 🤧
Fuck I'm sad I missed it
AIrighty then. I'm pirating it. Sorry CH.5 Team, but it must live on.
Based
what a bunch of prudes those guys are
That is quite saddening, but i believe most people here watched the thing a good few times already. I hope there is a way to make things work with patreon...
wtf this is SCIENCE beeotch
This is the fallout from the conservative Christian groups pressuring credit card companies (Mastercard, Visa, ect) into anti-sex work policy's under the guise of stopping the exploitation of minors and sex trafficking. Its a campaign that they have been pursuing for a long time and have recently succeeded. it has all company's afraid to breach these policy's as they will lose the ability to accept credit card payments. OF, pornhub are the major targets but also a lot of collaterally damage comes to small content creators like Channel 5. I know Channel 5 usually covers current political events, hot/up and coming celebrity's and, big pop cultural events but maybe they would dip their toe into investigating these Christian groups affecting credit card policy and talk to the people it hurts the most. shine a light on a huge and not spoken about problem.
It goes so much broader than that though. This is more a reflection of Think Of The Children media laws which dole out extremely stiff penalties for merely hosting content with child pornography; it pisses me off that C5 got wrapped up in Patreon making sweeping generalizations but I know Patreon only does that in the interest of their survival.
Check the new update for everyone that is reading this
Damn that's annoying, sorry you gotta deal with this bs
Screenshot 5 has his name unblurred, on accident I assume
Not sure if ya'll saw but Andrew updated and Patreon is allowing the video now.
where can I find the video??
Pornhub should be the Patreon of this fine content.
As subscribers this is uniquely difficult to help make a stand. Sure, we could cancel our subscriptions and hit them in the wallet, but that really only hurts the very content creators we're trying to stand up for. Edit: Well, belay my last, I just saw the update. Good job folks!
Let's say someone (who isn't me), saved the uncensored video (just because he wanted to watch it with his wife on his Plex server) If he uploaded it as a torrent, it could keep the original video available. But could that possibly violate Patreons rules? The uncensored content is amazing, but the buttholes, penises, and jizz were not his favorite part. It won't be the same video without those awful things, but I don't think it's worth leaking the uncensored video if it might risk the Patreon.
Damn bro this is bullshit, why don't we figure out a way to turn on monthly billing through CASH APP? (CASH APP a great way to avoid big brother) that way Andrew doesn't get strong armed into Patreon policy and we can help keep the content lucid and untampered with.
At this point it makes way more sense to use Substack. They have video upload features, their content policy allows for non-pornographic nudity, and you can use the email list to distribute content directly if you need to.
Onlyfans starting to look mighty friendly lol
Do what Steveo did and create your own website that people can subscribe to for a monthly fee! You can have the freedom to do anything you want without the hassle of sites like this. Everyone will follow you. I really think it's the best option for you.
Interesting that their guidelines "apply equally to off-platform activity that is funded though Patreon". To me that could be read fairly liberally to include not just the videos you produce but the actual activity... i.e. just traveling there and doing the interview would make you in violation. I see broad leeway for them to shut down accounts. Is there any way I can donate that doesn't involve Patreon?
yeah I dont think anyone here was turned on from this content, we were all in to much shock to get horny
Gotta make OnlyFans the official spot of modern journalism. Still make the revenue to keep making the content and hopefully less community guideline suppression
I'm so glad I got to see the whole thing before you were forced to remove it. This video was so clutch. Literally changed the way I relate to my own body.
Deeply sorry to see this guys. The documentary in its uncensored format is clearly not in any way pornographic, it’s got full nudity for sure, but its not porn. The best thing about your videos is how raw and authentic they are! I really hope this experience doesn’t scare you from continuing to post the best content on the internet right now! Hopefully your meeting with the Patreon trust and safety team can clear this up moving forward.
Sad. Truly extraordinary content. If or when you find an alternative to patreon, i’ll happily delete my account here
As long as you have access to the email addresses of all of your backers, surely you could just get any video that is against Patreon policy uploaded somewhere else and just email us all the link. Wouldn't even need to mention it here at all.
It’s not the end of the world to not see dicks, butt holes, and bodily fluids. I appreciate the transparency, Channel 5!
You're blazing the trail for this kind of content, these platforms are all trying to watch their asses. In the end, until you are able to have your own platform you will be facing this kind of censorship.
That’s some bullshit.. Much love✌️
This is ludicrous. Patreon better get their act together or they're going to fail when a better alternative comes along.
Damn that is soo lame. You come here to be able to have more freedom to post content you want as they advertise and they smite you down to the billets of hell! It's crazy that even after you made a clean version it wasn't good enough even after you told them it isn't sexual.
Sorry to hear about all the hassle that you’ve gone through. Very much appreciate all of the fantastic work that you’ve done and you all have my full support!
You should talk to Niel Breen about distribution
why tf would they censor content that I'm specifically paying to see? let me have the balls and semen god damnit!
jeez dude, I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. can't even post on here now without it being squeaky clean and censored. ridiculous. keep up the good work though, we support you!
Time to start uploading to pornhub
Just get an OnlyFans account.
Would definitely watch this on a +18 Plattform and on sites like pornhub you'd also get revenue. You could share it via discord maybe? Sad for these restrictions. Keep up the great work!
Appreciate you for you guys for your commitment to what you do. Besides this being historically regressive for porn/obscenity definitions and right to free speech, it’s also regressive for their brand; most of their userbase consists of people who are there specifically by the fact that most streaming services are prohibitive beyond what actually appeals to conventional moral and aesthetic tastes.
God this shit actually has me pissed. I specifically enjoyed Patreon because I thought they WEREN'T like other companies that micromanaged the creators. The WHOLE POINT of the platform is to give people a way to make what they want and get direct payment from people who wish to act as patrons. Why am I paying Andrew to make this unique documentary if Patreon can GO BACK ON THEIR WORD and threaten the channel as a whole over this. A documentary about repressed dudes trying to platonically massage their friends' nuts. Fuck patreon.
Tell em that, several of us are trying to. https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000376851
Dude what the absolute fuck Patreon. What a complete let down. Maybe operations like fansly or whatever they're called, will be less likely to censor the artists they work with. Oi vei. We love you guys channel 5, keep on keeping on. We got this.
whew I picked the right time to start a personal c5 archive. sorry you guys are having to deal with this bs
how rude! the video was definitely not porn, and really got me thinking about how uncomfortable most of us are with nudity. I'm not sure I'm comfortable enough with myself to participate in such a ritual, but I can appreciate the beauty and courage behind it!
Could this be dealt with by making your Patreon 18+? Although that could be a no-go depending on how many teen patrons you have. Or is what happened here that Patreon said it was cool with this being 18+ content and is now going back and saying no nudity is allowed ever?
They say that even if we make the page 18+ their video player is ‘in beta’ so it wouldn’t matter.
Dumb ass patreon
Dont worry guys! It’s still a really good documentary even if we don’t see full nudity 🤣
How can we pay you and keep our money out of patreon hands? I don’t want to send money to snakes.
LAUNCH CHANNEL5.COM AND GO INDEPENDENT
I definitely agree! Steveo from jackasd did that! Has a full website where you can watch all of his content. Its the way to go for sure.
Can we all get on here and make a fuss about this? Free Channel 5 or bust. https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000376851
Andrew Andrew
Just upload it to Google drive and share the link
I don't know how anyone could watch that and call it porn. Their list of timestamps is ridiculous. Especially since they said nudity is OK and then completely changed their mind and make you censor EVERYTHING. They don't even understand their own rules.
I would have preferred the censored version anyway, but this behavior is why I wanted to stop relying on advertisement revenue in the first place. Patreon's been up to a lot of shit lately.
That's incredibly frustrating; I'm sorry your well-being and artistic vision are being threatened by pearl-clutching weirdos. :(
This is unfortunate.. Nothing about this video was pornographic.. It sounds like Patreon needs to get their act together
Post it elsewhere and link it. If they have a problem with that, you HAVE to move off the platform now, at least start the process. I’m at the point where I’m happy to donate to people, but I refuse to donate through Patreon anymore. They are not a platform for donations or support, but control and censorship and it’s quickly getting worse. Start an email list immediately and start the process to move off. Then Let us know via that email list if you decide to use another platform for donations and support.
Heads up there's an uncensored name in the 5th pic
All you need to do is tell us where you’re moving. Patreon obviously isn’t what it used to be. Where ever your platform is we will follow
I have subscribed to literal porn on here so many times, patreon can get fucked. Host your own website if you have to, a lot of people are on here for you exclusively (meaning they will move with you) and being able to do the content you do is kinda the whole point. If you can't do your content here, then here isn't the place maybe? Nothing in that video violates their TOS
https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000376851 can we all get on here and make a fuss about this?
Time to make an onlyfans for this stuff
lmao just got a memby for the first time ever, to watch it
and its gone
Patreon doesn't believe in genitals? Wtf we've all got em
Sounds like Patreon staff are a bunch of custers who are terrified of a few peepees and weewees. Long live Channel 5!
Switch ti onlyfans bros
You should start working towards making your own patreon styled website for yourself so you don’t have to follow anyones rules. Idk how hard it’d be. but surely possible
id def support a website that was $5 a month for the same shit idk how realistic that is tho
Time to move to OnlyFans
Completely silly. I follow multiple people here for porn, albeit drawn lol
Absolutely ridiculous
Someone at patreon is most likely very homophopic and could not deal with how aroused the boys were making him
Sad for sure, but maybe you could upload it elsewhere with an 18+ tag?
Start a channel 5 only fans ;)
It’s interesting to think about patreon’s big brother reaction in the context of the wake of fosta/sesta, which was a law meaning to hold backpage and other websites accountable for facilitating underage sex trafficking, when in reality it mostly just us made it way harder to for sex workers to safely advertise and filter their clients, and has a chilling effect on any freedom of expression around any content of involving sexuality on the internet . Anyway love y’all and sorry you’re dealing with this!!
YES
You have nothing to be sorry for. We also don't want you to get banned. Stay strong and smart, peace and love
I want to see this thing as intended. If you can send it privately, or email a Dropbox outside Patreon, I'd watch it.
Sorry to hear - would love a download or dropbox option for the uncensored version if that's at all possible! Keep it up - y'all are amazing thank you!
Idk if y'all have looked into Floatplane but that may be a possible alternative
@Channel5 Yes look into Floatplane!
What if you guys sent out a link to a Dropbox or third party site through the email? I don’t see how Patreon could do anything about that and that way the art lives on
fucking prudes // why are people so uncomfortable with the human body // sorry they are forcing your hand here and making you censor // y'all keep pressing on and pushing back
I've been a member on this site since 2017 and have donated thousands of dollars to creators during my time here. I just wrote to Patreon support and told them to either follow their own rules and change their mind about their decision here or I'll cancel all my pledges and move support over to Youtube (or merch). I will continue to support this channel, but we need to throw our weight around and tell Patreon this is unacceptable.
This might be the one, I checked that link and nothing in the video violates their TOS, this is nonsense. Can we all just riot a little about this one?
Can you put it on Vimeo?
He can't link it anywhere on Patreon if it goes to this video.
Damn, I'd only watched half of it
You can have a separate account marked 18+ for uncensored vids
Find a new platform that won’t limit your creativity. People will follow you there. Keep pattern going along side it with edits and obfuscation.
Wow, what a ridiculous move by Patreon. Would gladly follow Channel 5 to an independent platform. While I'm here, yinz got any more Pittsburgh tix left? Can't believe how fast they sold out. Love you guys!
Crazy to me that none of these gotdam platforms want to let you do your thing, sorry yall have to keep dealing with this. I'll be at the Houston show in December super excited 🤘
Same, this is my first time subscribing to a patreon
Does anyone know why so many of these platforms are so vehemently anti-nudity? I generally know about the SESTA/FOSTA stuff but why does some dude’s butt pose a threat to The Internet
Can you send the uncensored version to people who ask? Because this is such fucking bullshit. I wanna see it as you meant it to be viewed.
Whats funny is that Channel 5 is the only non-porn patreon i sub to. All the others, past and present, are porn games. They really need to rethink their platform
Full support from me and anyone else who counts Andrew. Sorry to see Patreon backstab you like this for no real reason.
Homies just trying to engage in some platonic male bonding
Hey that sucks man but it was a great video you are truly the best and I'm not going anywhere
Wait but I've supported content creators on this platform in the past who also create content with non-p*rnographic nudity. From what I'm getting, they still allow that sort of thing if it's purely images, but they fully and completely ban equivalently non-p*rnographic nudity if it's in video format? That seems to be what I'm getting from this and that makes absolutely no sense. Unless they disagree about the video in question being non-p*rnographic? Which... I guess could validate them, but it seems strange that they would go as far as to restrict you from even posting it somewhere else in that case. Makes me wonder if there's some higher authority above them enforcing this kind of thing and forcing their hands. I know most payment processors don't accept p*rn or anything they think is p*rn, so maybe Patreon is just being overly cautious in case whoever their overlords happen to be decide to cut them off? I know that's along the lines of what people were saying back when OnlyFans briefly banned nudity, in an effort to explain why a company would do that in the first place. Maybe this is like that. That's my best guess.
I thought Vimeo was the one hosting Patreon's videos... whether it's them or somebody else, if Patreon is contracting out video hosting, they probably just need to pass on the host's terms within their terms so THEY don't get in trouble. Image and podcasts are so small storage-wise, Patreon could likely be hosting those files themselves and be more flexible about what's allowed.
Damn, truly v shit
Absolute BS. Have you thought about creating an OnlyFans for this type of content?
Hey dudes, thanks for being super transparent with all of this. It's really interesting to see how you guys handled all this. You guys rule.
Your frustration is palpable and understandable. You’re doing big things for journalism and I know it’ll pay off at some point. Sorry you had to take the L with this one but hopefully you’ll get a W out of it by playing the long game and complying. I have no doubt you and your team will become self-sufficient at some point and won’t have to rely on Patreon or other platforms. I hope that happens so you don’t have to worry as much about other organizations’ guidelines and can create the content you want.
Damnnn bruh they said it’d be sweet then said SIKE! Keep your heads up fellas thanks for the amazing efforts and great content❤️🔥 safe to say I’m not cupping patrons balls when we see each other ever again
If Patreon keeps causing issues it might be time to reach out to a more creator focused platform like FloatPlane. Those guys seem very open to supporting independent creators who want to do things that companies with shareholders to please are scared to support.
floatplane doesn't allow nudity :(
Aw, nuts.
Yall should post this in an 18+ channel on the discord it'll assure no minors see it so it shouldn't be an issue
Damn that's so stupid... Sucks to have to waste your time with this shit
My dude, I’m a professional web developer with over 10 years of experience in the industry, currently living in Seattle. Say the word and I’ll build you a better platform than Patreon. I’d do it for free just for the chance to work with you guys. mmmeff#1337 on Discord, holla at me
If you want them to be able to contact you don't forget to add your discord tag #s!!
Glad I got to watch that crazy shit🤣🤣
Fuck it. Post it on Porn Hub. Or better yet, make an OnlyFans just for the lulz. Pay 2 bucks and watch the video. I can even see you guys meme-ifying the idea of an OnlyFans in a mid roll ad. Channel5 After Dark or something
Bummer, the dicks really sold it. C’mon Patreon!
You tell us where you want us to donate if it’s not here, and we’ll be there. What you’re doing is important, even if this is a silly-by-definition example.
Man fuck those people. This is why we pay for the patreon. Start your own platform with other free minds and we will follow. I promise.
Will follow y’all to literally any platform. Thanks for bringing true journalism back, much love. 💙
Go independent!!
Andrew & team - Now that the video is removed, what are your feelings on fans/patrons sharing the video privately? Torrenting, etc.? Would this put you in more hot water with Patreon?
SUBSTACK! SUBSTACK! SUBSTACK! SUBSTACK!
Could you post it to PornHub and give us the unlisted link?
🥺
I saw it day off. I have been blessed ever since. I growl into my balls every day.
Thanks for this comment
I will gladly buy a copy ofthe uncensored version from you if there’s any way that’s possible.
Make a phub account, and have it subscription based as well. Content like this video on there and everything else here. I understand that it's separating your members but it'll be less of a headache in my opinion in the long run. Your true supporters will support w.e you decide to do at the end of the day.
Maaan fuck those guidelines. If you decide to bounce from here, I will gladly subscribe to whatever is next. Channel 5 is the movement and we with you fellas!
Patreon don’t deserve you guys. Complete horseshit.
You gotta build your own platform, the viewers will come
Every VOD service that isn't a major corporate entity flops. I wish it weren't true, but it is
Damn, really can't catch a break
This documentary is an important part of human history and I'm happy to have seen it while I could. Please enjoy this ASCII art interpretation of male nudity instead B===========D~~~~~
Sad.
Time for a new platform then
Pornhub premium is the move
Can’t you just upload to a third party website and link it here?
Nah they’re not going for that
Time for Andrew Callaghan’s Only Fans
This is why I should watch content right when it comes out 😅
And isn't one of patreons top earners a porn gam
“please also increase coverage for the butt”
I tried telling ya, this is a pornhub upload my guy. Fucking great episode though, can't wait for the rest of the Candian content to drop.
Just post it on pornhub, please - don’t even post a link here. Kinda iykyk
Channel 5 only fans when?
Please post the pornhub link when it's available
So they tell you it's OK then take it down? And they are Allright with showing naked chick's?
glad i watched the video right when you released it. certainly one of the most shocking interviews ive ever watched in my life but nothing about it was harmful. just kinda weird lol
Talk to the folks over at Floatplane and see if you can come to some kind of agreement.
Damn I knew I should have watched it when I had the chance, fuck you Patreon 😭
Time for torrents again? What are they going to do, censor a magnet link?
That's wack
Please tell me there's still a way to watch this somewhere else online
I was on the fence about seeing the balls but now I wish I had while I had the chance!
Lameeeeee but you gotta do what you gotta do
That episode was wild. I guess we’ll have to leave it up to our imaginations when we watch it again 😭
lemme see the dicks
Damn was a great video. Hope you don’t continue to get restricted from making dope shit
Gotta upload it to PornHub or something.
These days, I wonder if Twitter would also take it as acceptable content
Daaamn! Patreon fucking around hardcore, there is NO REASON that you can't start your own website and just keep the cut of the money they take from you and then you can post ANYTHING! fuck patreon!
damn, I literally JUST subscribed to the Patreon to watch this...
noooooo
i wanna see a couple rad dudes hold each other's sacks....this sucks! That vid was informative!
That sucks man, easily the funniest you've guys have done so far.
Oh man I just joined specifically to see this documentary
SAME!!!!!!