OnlyFans Overturns Plans for New Policy Following Backlash from Creators

Followed by an extensive backlash from content creators and users, OnlyFans halts its decision to ban sexually explicit content from its platform. Many users on the platform rely on income made from the type of content it was trying to ban.

The adult-only content platform OnlyFans announced that they are suspending their decision to implement a new policy banning sexually explicit content on their platform. This comes just days after they made their initial announcement.

The company tweeted the decision to overturn the initial plan after it was met with heavy backlash from content creators on the platform. However, as the announcement said the policy change is suspended, it is unclear if the plan to implement may still come at a later date.

OnlyFans wrote they support diversity and inclusion and that they will “continue to provide a home for all creators, and added:

“We have secured assurances necessary to support our diverse creator community and have suspended the planned October 1 policy change.”

Content creators celebrated the company's new decision. A London-based creator shared with BBC News that, despite the good news, many creators who left the platform may not return:

"So it is short-term good news for sex workers reliant on the platform - and I would like to see this as the start of increased support [...]”

One of the most popular content creators on the platform did just that. Rapper Tyga deleted his OnlyFans account and will soon launch his own platform, called "myystar."

The UK-based company OnlyFans had announced that they would ban sexually explicit content citing “long-term sustainability of our platform” as their reason. And as stated earlier, the policy was meant to go into effect on October 1st.

The policy change was part of the company’s plan to move from X-rated content into a mainstream media company. According to Bloomberg, OnlyFans was seeking $1 billion funding.

The company had seen a 75% rise in new creators joining the platform since May last year, during the lockdown. Currently, it makes a 20% commission from money earned by its content creators.

OnlyFans was founded in 2016 by British entrepreneur Timothy Stokely, his retired banker father, Guy Stokely, and brother Thomas. Due to the spike during the pandemic, the company’s major owner, Leonid Radvinsky, became a billionaire.

According to Forbes, his net revenue went from $375 million in 2020, and it is projected to grow to $1.2 billion in 2021 and then $2.5 billion in 2022.