OnlyFans Has Backflipped On Its Porn Ban But The Damage Has Been Done
"OnlyFans has lost what little trust the sex work community previously had in it."
In a stunning backflip, OnlyFans has changed its mind about the whole banning-explicit-content thing, officially scrapping the plan that was due to commence on October 1.
On Wednesday night, OnlyFans announced on Twitter that the company had heard the “voices” and stated they stand for inclusion, sharing they would “continue to provide a home for all creators”.
The company emailed journalists a link to a piece by the Financial Times, which included an interview with founder Tim Stokely.
Thank you to everyone for making your voices heard.
We have secured assurances necessary to support our diverse creator community and have suspended the planned October 1 policy change.
OnlyFans stands for inclusion and we will continue to provide a home for all creators.
— OnlyFans (@OnlyFans) August 25, 2021
Stokely told the Financial Times the ban was prompted by issues with banking partners Metro Bank, the Bank of New York Mellon, and JPMorgan.
“Stokely said the change came in response to an increased level of obstacles from banks, which would ‘cite reputational risk and refuse our business,'” the piece read.
“This decision was made to safeguard their funds and subscriptions from increasingly unfair actions by banks and media companies — we obviously do not want to lose our most loyal creators, ” said Stokely.
OnlyFans had no choice but to reverse its porn ban as publicly fucking itself this hard is definitely a breach of the new TOS.
— Cara Sinclair 🎁 BDAY BABE (@MsCaraSinclair) August 25, 2021
Sex Workers Are Not Convinced
Rather than reassuring sex workers, who were going to be hit hardest by the ban, the backflip has felt destabilising, as some find themselves hesitant to return to the platform when they now feel they’re being used.
“I think that OnlyFans has lost what little trust the sex work community previously had in it,” Sydney-based sex worker Jenna Love told Junkee. “There is a lot of talk about what platforms people are moving to, but we know there is no easy solution because at the end of the day, the banks and payment processors have the power.”
“While many are rejoicing after hearing the latest announcement, a lot of us are very skeptical, and are waiting for the next blow to our community.”
Love said she’ll continuing working on other platforms, but the uncertainty is compelling her to leave the world of online sex work altogether. While she used to feel online work had diversified, and protected her business across online and in-person operations, she now feels both elements are threatened and is unsure if she can rely on any regular income in the future.
A Problem Beyond OnlyFans
The sex work industry has been dealt multiple blows in the past few years — the most prominent being Trump’s FOSTA (Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act) and SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act) bills, which would allow platforms to be held accountable for the content on their sites, with a focus on sex trafficking.
“Because while it may start with sex workers, digital gentrification certainly doesn’t end with us.”
While focusing on victims of child abuse and sex trafficking, the bills neglected to consider the impact of the new regulations on the safety of sex workers. It greatly impacted Backpage — a US platform sex workers used to advertise their services, and maintain their own safety by allowing them to screen potential clients. Then there was the pandemic. And now, the OnlyFans porn ban.
While OnlyFans allowed sex workers to cut out the middle man of production companies and promotors, this ban is another push for sex workers to cut out middlemen altogether.
Love believes the silver lining of the situation is the increased awareness of financial discrimination faced by sex workers. “And they need to be aware of it,” said Love. “Because while it may start with sex workers, digital gentrification certainly doesn’t end with us.”