OnlyFans ban on sexually explicit content 'putting us in danger right now,' Montreal sex workers say
Montreal sex workers are nervous about recent changes to popular website OnlyFans, – a platform used commonly by adult-content creators to sell images, videos, and services online.
“The first reaction was panic,” said Adore Goldman, a Montreal-based sex worker and activist with CATS (Comité autonome du travail du sexe).
OnlyFans has become a vital source of revenue for sex workers internationally, especially when the pandemic hit, and it became more dangerous to meet with clients in person.
On Thursday, it was first reported by Bloomberg that the site is planning to ban sexually explicit content starting on Oct. 1. OnlyFans has not publicly confirmed the policy change.
Nudity will still be allowed, so long as it’s "consistent" with the company's policy. It's not clear what that policy is, and the company did not immediately reply to questions.
OnlyFans will be sharing more information in "coming days."
The news sent shockwaves through the sex-work community – the company handled a more than $2 billion in sales last year, according to Bloomberg.
“For us, it’s terrible,” said Goldman.
“I think it’s going to create a lot of precarity for sex workers,” she said, adding that the new rules will trigger a significant loss of income.
But the change won’t just affect wallets, according to Goldman, who says losing the platform could make sex work more dangerous.
“What it means is that we're going to have to take more risk in our work,” she said. “Maybe we're going to have to do stuff that we're not comfortable with.”
The pandemic still represents a “very big risk” for sex workers, says Goldman, adding that online work is the only way to ensure social distancing.
“Losing [OnlyFans] is really putting us in danger right now, to be honest.”
It’s possible that the shift away from sexually explicit content is being driven by investor interest.
While several celebrities have recently made accounts on the platform, broadening the site’s mainstream appeal with content that is not sexually explicit, an Axios report says the company has found difficulty attracting “several deep-pocketed firms” to invest in the site.
It's also not available as an app via the Apple and Google stores, which ban pornography.
While Goldman says sex workers will be able to find other online platforms to do their work, it will be challenging to find another venue with a comparable audience.
“It's going to be a lot of hard work.”
-- With files from The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.