OnlyFans to ban sexually explicit content due to payment pressure

OnlyFans' upcoming ban on explicit content raises concerns about creator safety and financial influence.

OnlyFans plans to ban sexually explicit content amid payment processor pressure

OnlyFans announced it will soon stop hosting sexually explicit content, attributing the decision to requests from payment processors. With 130 million users and 2 million content creators, the platform has become central to many sex workers' livelihoods, particularly during the pandemic. Although nudity will still be permitted, the ban impacts content depicting sex acts, leading creators to feel betrayed. Internally, the platform struggled to attract investors, partly due to the adult content that defined its success. The move aligns with a broader crackdown from financial institutions, influenced by concerns around legal liability and pressure to limit adult material, reflected in the restrictions seen at other platforms like Pornhub.

OnlyFans' significant policy shift reflects shifting dynamics between adult content sites and powerful financial networks. Payment processors like Mastercard have created a new content standard, demanding verification practices similar to those employed by Porhub. This environment poses risks to sex workers, potentially driving them further underground while limiting their ability to work safely. The response from creators signals a growing resistance to outside influences that dictate how they engage with audiences. In the long run, balancing the interests of financial institutions with the rights and safety of sex workers remains a contentious issue.

Highlights

The evolving landscape of adult content regulations continues to spark debates about rights and safety in the digital age.