OnlyFans To Ban ‘Sexually Explicit’ Content

After making millions of dollars as a platform for sex workers to create and charge for their own content, OnlyFans has announced it’s getting out of the pornography business. Bloomberg reports that come October, the company will ban creators from uploading content which features ‘sexually explicit conduct.’ Videos and photos with nudity will still be allowed as long as ‘they’re consistent with OnlyFans policy.’ https://twitter.com/Quicktake/status/1428464556045737984 Launched in 2016, the site was initially utilized by musicians to share exclusive content with fans willing to pay a small monthly fee. But then adult performers discovered they could control their own content (and income) by uploading their videos and photos. Over the years, OnlyFans has attracted over 130 million customers. In addition to being in charge of the content they create, the platform allowed sex workers operate in a safe environment. As the ACLU points out, “stigma drives sex workers underground where workers are more likely to be brutalized.” https://twitter.com/ACLU/status/1428440389443334148 Amid the pandemic, business boomed as the platform processed over $2 billion in sales last year. OnlyFans keeps 20 percent of revenue to pay for maintaining the site. According to Bloomberg, the shift in policy comes amid “mounting pressure from banking partners and payment providers” as the company is attempting to raise over $1 billion from outside investors. “In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of our platform, and continue to host an inclusive community of creators and fans, we must evolve our content guidelines,” OnlyFans said in a statement. Bloomberg spoke to one adult performer on the site who said they had noticed the company shifting from promoting sex content to more mainstream fare like photographers, actors, and musicians – similar to sites like Patreon. Many folks chimed in on Twitter about the change in policy: https://twitter.com/CrankGameplays/status/1428465812503818240 https://twitter.com/SaintHoax/status/1428454258614095877 https://twitter.com/LOLGOP/status/1428437086214963202