The article is from a relatively serious publication, at least compared to other past links, and does seem to indicate it is in theory intended to be a change aimed at general sexualization and not only a matter about restrictions on the depiction of younger characters. Which is still a real factor, as quoted, but apparently not the only sort of issue involved.
The inclusion of various types of sexual content in general may still be debated, because there is definitely a larger discussion about the portrayal and sexualization of women, but it is not the same thing as most of what has been happening so far.
In particular, it is rather curious that the Sony spokesperson refused to outline the policy in more specific terms and used rather vague language about concerns over the "development of young people" instead. Which does seem to leave a lot of room for interpretation.