As reported by iNews, 1.6 terabytes of data from the subscription site OnlyFans has been leaked online, resulting in models and performers having their pay-to-view videos and pictures circulated online without their permission.
For those unfamiliar with OnlyFans, it is a social media service that allows creators to set up paid subscription content services with their subscribers/fans. Several creators use the site to sell self-made porn to their fans.
Per Buzzfeed News, yesterday (Thursday, February 27) saw huge numbers of pornographic images and videos from site circulated on social media without the permission of the creators.
Despite many accounts being hit, women's accounts - specifically those who utilize the platform to share pornography - appeared to be the most compromised, iNews reported.
Speaking to Buzzfeed News, porn star and OnlyFans user Jewels Jade (who was unsure if she had been personally affected) said: "This is paid for private content that we own. This is illegal and a violation of our rights."
Another user who had spoken out about the leak is Riley, 33, who relies on OnlyFans to sell fetish content. She says that the leak is a huge cause of concern as she chooses to keep her adult work private from most of her friends and family. Speaking to the Metro, Riley said: "The lack of respect for performers’ privacy – and the risk that puts on me and my family – is really concerning".
Riley added: "Companies respond to these data leaks with nonchalance, totally missing the fact that these performers could be subject to online harassment and also things like stalking."
Since the content leak went viral on social media, OnlyFans has claimed that the leak is not due to a hack, and that no personal data – i.e. names or bank details – had been released.
Speaking to Motherboard, Steve Pymm, head of marketing at OnlyFans, revealed: "We have investigated claims of a site-wide hack and found no evidence of any breach of our systems. The content contained in the supposed 'leak' seems to be curated from multiple sources, including other social media applications."
Since the leak occurred on Thursday afternoon, several links and forums have emerged online stating that they host the content.
Speaking to BuzzFeed News, journalist Vonny LeClerc revealed how many creators are not only concerned about the leaks, but are now receiving backlash from victim-blaming trolls. She said:
"Creators are understandably concerned. I have been DM'd by a number of sex workers so they can see if they are on the list. Unfortunately, it seems to have attracted the trolls who are now victim-blaming and calling women 'degenerates'."
LeClerc added that there are many creators who use OnlyFans as they are unable to access "traditional employment" due to their personal circumstances. The journalist said:
"Lots of people who use [OnlyFans] rely on this as a revenue stream. Younger people, trans and nonbinary people, disabled people, people who may not have the easiest access to traditional employment. If gives anyone a means of making paywall-protected adult content. But clearly, it offers zero protection for creators, whose content can be bought and then freely distributed onwards."
US-based porn star and OnlyFans creator Osa Lovely also spoke out about the leak, saying: "This is the second leak I’ve heard about this year. This puts us and our families at terrible risk."
So far, Lovely has found two scenes leaked from the site without her consent - an issue that she claims compromises her material: "My OnlyFans aren't just clips they're full scenes - dialogue, scripted 20-40 minute scenes. This impacts me a lot and now I don't know if my personal information was leaked as well."
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