CES Bans Sex Toy

CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is one of the most important conferences for technology throughout the year. Tech companies of all different sorts bring their latest prototypes and products to show industry experts and media moguls. In the past, sexual technology has been welcome at the conference under certain conditions, but recently a sex toy was actually banned from the event, making some wonder if there is a double standard when it comes to male pleasure versus female pleasure.

In the past, tech heavy sex dolls and VR porn have been present at CES, albeit behind closed doors. These products, which typically focus on men’s pleasure, have been allowed in some respect, but this year, a sex toy called Osé developed at the University of Oregon robotics lab was actually banned, despite the fact that it won an award and was supposed to be given a special display at the event. The toy looks more like a piece of art or small sculpture than a sex toy and is designed for hands-free female pleasure. It uses “micro-robotics” to deliver the results.

The toy was removed from the show on a technicality. The administration of CES said that it broke the line of the terms & conditions which states: “Entries deemed by CTA in their sole discretion to be immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with CTA’s image will be disqualified.” Lora Haddock, the CEO of the company making the toy, Lora DiCarlo, deemed this designation a bit offensive considering several other popular sex toys like the Real Doll and VR porn got their debuts at CES.

Of course it is disappointing because the toy looks great and has promise. However, some hope that the fact that this imbalance is coming to light will allow for more sex toys to be allowed at CES in the future, and not just the ones that are geared towards guys.