OnlyFans: Stricter regulation for adult content required

OnlyFans
Stricter regulation for adult content required

"OnlyFans" has millions of users

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Internet services such as "OnlyFans" are increasingly used for erotic content. The State Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia takes care of the protection of minors.

Internet sites and services with erotic or pornographic content have been popular since the beginning of the Corona crisis. The State Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia therefore cares about the well-being of children and young people – and demands age restrictions.

Dr. Tobias Schmid, the director of the State Agency for Media NRW, explains in an interview with "Welt am Sonntag": "We are registering that, for example, 'OnlyFans' is increasingly attracting erotic providers and influencers, and we will take care of it."

Use "Admissible Youth Protection System"

Schmid explains that the "core of our legal situation for these services (is) the same as for the porn platforms. That means: no customers under the age of 18". He sees a particular duty to those who offer content. One wants to remind users "who sell pornographic services on their accounts intensely that they are obliged to use an admissible system for the protection of minors".

A spokeswoman for OnlyFans told the Australian Guardian in December that the platform had 85 million registered users. More than a million people are said to offer content there. In November 2019, the service only had 7.5 million users. Thomas Stokely, Chief Operating Officer of "OnlyFans", told "BuzzFeed News" that in May 2020 around 200,000 users were added every day and around 7,000 to 8,000 accounts are published via the content.

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