A number of sex workers and creators have taken to social media to react to the news that OnlyFans is banning sexually explicit content.
Yesterday, the subscription site announced that as of October 1, sexually explicit content will be blocked on the site. BBC News reports that the decision has come as a result of pressure from its banking partners. In a further statement, the subscription site said:
"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."
BBC also reports that the popularity of the site has only continued to grow throughout the pandemic, and the platform now boasts over 130 million users - with x-rated content being some of its most successful and popular to be featured.
The Financial Times reports that over $2.4 billion was spent on OF subscriptions in 2020 alone.
Now, many sex workers and content creators who create content for OnlyFans have hit out at the company's decision to modify its content guidelines.
In an interview with YouTuber Philip DeFranco about the news, adult star Lena the Plug said: "I do feel completely betrayed. I feel [sex workers] completely built the platform and we made it big.
"But then it became more mainstream and they got loads more influencers – like Corinna Kopf... And now it’s like 'we don’t need the girls that helped us get here and we’re going to try and get more celebrity-type people instead who will never actually cross into the sexual activity'."
Speaking to Buzzfeed News, explicit content creator Lilli Sabine said OnlyFans accounts for around half of her income.
"Unfortunately, if I can't quickly get my fanbase over to another platform ... it will take out a major chunk of my content income," she told the outlet. "It can be super hard to convert followers over to new platforms, and I am going to have to rebuild everything from scratch if OnlyFans kicks sex workers and lewd creators off the platform."
Another OnlyFans user, who goes by the name Venus on the site, tweeted: "Onlyfans catered their platform almost exclusively to sex workers, built their wealth and popularity off the backs of sex workers, and within only a year ditched the creators who made their empire so they can cater to banks. Even if you don’t use the site you should be p***ed."
Comedian and podcast host Billy Procida also spoke to Buzzfeed News about how he has been able to make rent as a result of the explicit content he has shared on OF.
"This will take away a leg of my overall income as a creator," he said. "Summer was slower, but I was averaging my rent each month."
Jasmine, another content creator on OF, tweeted: "[OnlyFans] is banning all sexually explicit content from their platform. [They've] also made billions off of the backs of sex workers.
"[As] someone who does sex work on OF, i'm angry for every creator that has relied on OF for an income just to be thrown out. this is so f***ed up."
She added: "[I] just have no f***ing words. [I've] been on this hell of a platform for over a f***ing year. [I've] dealt with all sorts of leaks, harassment, abuse, r**e threats and death threats, all while [OnlyFans] ignores my emails for help and takes 20% of everything that i make [sic]."
Many other social media users have also slammed the company over it's decision:
Reports say that creators will still be able to share nude content, but it must be in line with the site's new rules and regulations. "Creators will continue to be allowed to post content containing nudity as long as it is consistent with our Acceptable Use Policy," the statement from the company added.
As shared by Variety, the statement continued: "We will be sharing more details in the coming days, and we will actively support and guide our creators through this change in content guidelines.
"OnlyFans remains committed to the highest levels of safety and content moderation of any social platform. All creators are verified prior to being able to upload any content to OnlyFans, and all uploaded content is checked by automated systems and human moderators."
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