Offensive Material Policy
Offensive material policy
We don't allow items to be advertised for that promote or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual, or religious intolerance, or promote
organisations with such views. We also remove adverts that portray graphic violence or victims of violence, unless they have
substantial social, artistic or political value.
Disasters and human tragedies
Allowed:
• Items and media related to natural disasters or human tragedies that have substantial social, artistic or political value.
• Charity websites or charity advertisements set up to benefit the victims of a disaster or tragic event
Not allowed:
Adverts that graphically portray, glorify, or attempt to profit from human tragedy or suffering, or that are insensitive to
victims of such events.
Items related to violent criminals
Out of respect for the families and friends of victims, we don't allow advertising for items closely associated with violent
criminals within the past 100 years. We also don't allow advertising for items that benefit people convicted of violent crimes, whether
the item advertised for is by that person or by someone else.
Allowed:
• Serial killer items over 100 years old (for example, Jack the Ripper)
• Books, documentaries and Hollywood style movies about serial killers or violent crimes
Not allowed:
• Personal belongings of anyone convicted of a violent crime or any work (such as a book) from which they might profit
• Letters or artwork created by serial killers or violent criminals
• Novelty items related to serial killers
• Items glorifying serial killers or persons convicted of a violent crime
• Items from notorious crime scenes
• Items promoting violence against an individual, including convicted criminals
Nazi and Nazi-related
We recognise the historical significance of World War II and that there are many militaria collectors around the world. We allow some
related historical items, but ban others, particularly those that amount to Nazi propaganda, or that may be disrespectful to victims.
Allowed:
• Stamps, letters, and envelopes displaying Nazi postmarks
• Currency issued by the Nazi government
• Historically accurate WWII military model kits that have Nazi symbols
• Historical and religious items that bear a swastika if they are made before 1933 and are not related to Nazism
Not allowed:
Items that are not permitted include, but are not limited to:
Holocaust-related items, including reproductions such as:
• Uniforms and personal belongings of concentration camp prisoners
• Jewish identification (armbands, Star of David)
• Holocaust photos that depict dead bodies, executions, or other violent or degrading scenes
• Nazi issued documents (passports, travel papers)
• Uniforms, uniform components, weapons, or other items that bear Nazi symbols, whether visible or covered
• Adverts in which images are edited or cropped to try and hide Nazi symbols
• Denazified items (items that originally had Nazi symbols that have been removed)
• Any items that were owned by, affiliated with or books written by Nazi leaders such as:
• Joseph Goebbels
• Hermann Goering
• Rudolf Hess
• Reinhard Heydrich
• Heinrich Himmler
• Adolf Hitler
Any item made after 1933 that bears a swastika (e.g. jewellery, clothing, rugs, fabrics), unless advertised for in the allowed section above. We are sensitive that the swastika is commonly and legitimately used in religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, however, given the highly offensive nature of the Nazi swastika, we have decided to not allow any non-historic items bearing a swastika.
Media identified as Nazi propaganda or that otherwise promotes hatred or racial supremacy including historic or current items.
Offensive or violent material
Allowed:
• Items of historical importance associated with acts of violence against public figures
• War documentaries
• Hollywood-style movies, even if they have graphic, violent subject matter
Not allowed:
Items not permitted to be listed include, but are not limited to:
• Any item that glorifies or promotes violence towards humans or animals
• Execution or torture related media or devices
• Explicit crime scene or morgue photographs or videos
Proscribed organisations under UK or IE law and Hate Groups
Not allowed:
• In light of strict criminal provisions in the UK and Ireland, WantAd adverts may not include items that imply or promote
support, or membership in, or funding of any prohibited groups.
• Items promoting or commemorating groups with views of hatred, violence, racial, religious, or sexual intolerance that may not be
addressed under current law
Racially or ethnically offensive language, historical items, reproductions, and works of art and media
We don't allow the use of racially derogatory language or racially or ethnically offensive adverts except in a few very specific
cases described here, including items with historical significance.
Restricted:
• Art and media adverts (such as books and music) where the offensive word or phrase is part of the title of the work.
• The term Negro is okay unless it's used in a derogatory or offensive way.
• Images of items that contain offensive terms can be advertised for if it is part of the actual name of the item but the term
cannot be in the title or description of the advert.
Not allowed:
• Racial slurs
• Items promoting or marketing intolerance towards religion, sexual orientation, race, or ethnic background
• Slavery items, including reproductions, such as tags, shackles, documents, bills of sale, etc.
• Confederate battle flags and related items with its image.
