OnlyFans now accessible in China

Some mainland Chinese online users were surprised when they found out they could access OnlyFans, an online streaming platform that allows users to publish content behind a paywall, without a VPN (virtual private network).

According to several Weibo bloggers, they have been able to access the platform without network intermittence since Nov. 29, 2024.

Previously, OnlyFans was blocked by China's Great Firewall because it was widely used by adult content creators, reported CNN.

Online users who are found to have viewed pornographic materials could be fined or even prosecuted based on internet regulations.

Sentiments online

Many Weibo users welcomed the news, with some thanking the bloggers for notifying them about the change.

One user even jokingly commented that by allowing access to OnlyFans, the Chinese government is offering a new career path for unemployed citizens.

According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate for people between the ages of 16 and 24 (excluding students) was 17.1 per cent in October 2024.

At the same time, several Weibo users also claimed that they had always been able to access OnlyFans without a VPN before Nov. 29, 2024.

Their problem, however, centred around how inconvenient it was to pay for its content without foreign-issued bank cards and the punishment they might face if China authorities found them using the platform.

According to criminal law, those found guilty of creating, publishing, selling, and spreading obscene content online for profit could face life imprisonment and a fine.

Top images via Mothership reader & Google一下下/Weibo