OnlyFans is banning one of the site's biggest draws: Porn.
The content-subscription service will prohibit sexually explicit content on Oct.1, citing pressure from the financial industry.
“In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the platform, and to continue to host an inclusive community of creators and fans, we must evolve our content guidelines,” OnlyFans said in a statement. “These changes are to comply with the requests of our banking partners and payout providers."
The good news is that creators can still post nude photos and videos to OnlyFans as long as they comply with the site’s terms of service. Nevertheless, the crackdown is infuriating users across the internet. “Only fans banning sex content is like KFC not selling chicken no more,” as one user points out.
Although anyone can open an account on OnlyFans, the site has become best known for helping people sell nudes and porn videos to paying subscribers. As a result, the platform, which has over 130 million users, is a haven for sex workers, who can make a living charging fans for exclusive content.
However, the same NSFW content appears to be turning off the banking industry and potential investors. Bloomberg notes that OnlyFans has been attempting to secure outside funding to help take the platform mainstream.
Still, the ban may drive away OnlyFans' core user base. Other critics say it unfairly penalizes people who work in porn. “Stigma drives sex workers underground where workers are more likely to be brutalized by police and clients,” the ACLU tweeted. “Sex work is work. It's time to decriminalize.”
OnlyFans plans on sharing more details about the ban in the coming days. "We remain dedicated to our community of 130 million users and over 2 million creators that have earned over $5 billion on our platform," the platform added.