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OnlyFans will ban sexually explicit content on its platform starting from Oct. 1, 2021, Bloomberg reported.

However, people will still be able to put up nude content, provided it is in line with OnlyFan's policies.

The change is reportedly due to pressure from banks and payment processors that have raised concerns about the content the site is hosting, The Guardian further reported.

An OnlyFans spokesperson said:

"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."

Although creators on OnlyFans can post various content such as make-up tutorials and cooking lessons, it is best known for pornography.

Site currently has 130 million users, grew in size during pandemic

Bloomberg further reported that the site currently has 130 million users and saw an upsurge during the Covid-19 pandemic, with sex workers, artistes and online influencers using it to charge fans for exclusive access to various material.

The site also received praise for letting sex workers have a safer space for their jobs, in return for handing over 20 per cent of their earnings to the platform, The Guardian reported.

According to Axios, there are around 16,000 creators who earn US$50,000 (S$68,100) annually, and over 300 creators who earn at least US$1 million (S$1.36 million) annually.

Concerns have been raised over accounts with illegal content

However, a BBC investigation found that there are concerns about the manner in which the site handles accounts that post illegal content.

Although illegal content is eventually removed, it is preceded by multiple warnings given by moderators to the creator before any account is closed.

Such an approach has been deemed as showing a certain level of "tolerance" for illegal content, according to moderation specialists and child protection experts.

OnlyFan moderators who spoke to the media outlet said that they found advertisements for prostitution services, and bestiality in such instances.

The BBC also saw a video of a man eating faeces in one case, while another showed a man paying homeless people to have sex with him on camera.

In addition, the media outlet found that OnlyFans failed to prevent youths below the age of 18 from selling and appearing in explicit videos, even though it is illegal to do so.

The platform has since stated that instances of fraudulent usage are rare and that it takes "immediate action" on violations of its terms of service.

Potential investors scared off

The Guardian highlighted that such issues have frightened away potential investors in the company.

Axios noted that while some investors have said they could get past the porn, they worry that OnlyFans' reputation will prevent it from attracting brand partners.

As such, the site has been pushed towards more mainstream models of business, similar to crowdfunding sites such as Patreon, while it removes the element of sex workers.

A spokesperson for the site added:

"We will be sharing more details in the coming days, and we will actively support and guide our creators through this change in content guidelines."

"OnlyFans remains committed to the highest levels of safety and content moderation of any social platform. All creators are verified prior to being able to upload any content to OnlyFans, and all uploaded content is checked by automated systems and human moderators."

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