OnlyFans' promise of untold riches for adult content creators has been marred by allegations of exploitation and intimidation. Self-styled 'managers', known as OnlyFans managers (OFMs), have reportedly promised creators lucrative earnings, only to seize a substantial portion of their income and allegedly resort to threatening and violent behaviour.
Dozens of UK-based creators shared their harrowing experiences with the BBC, including one individual from south Wales who described how an agency initially promised significant financial growth but later subjected her to abuse, threats against her daughter, and a physical assault involving masked men. The creator, fearing the agency's access to her account, changed her login details, only for the abusive behaviour to escalate further. Messages seen by the BBC included explicit threats, with the creator providing photographic evidence of injuries sustained during an alleged attack at her home.
The BBC investigation suggests a disturbing pattern of exploitation, having heard from 60 UK OnlyFans creators and observed discussions within a private Telegram group, 'OFM Empire', which boasts 24,000 members. Within this group, advice was reportedly shared on controlling creators' accounts and maximising profits, sometimes through the use of threats, dubbed the 'pimp method'. These agencies commonly take a substantial 50% cut of creators' pre-tax earnings, leaving them with a considerably smaller portion of their income.
Concerns regarding exploitative OFMs have reportedly been known to OnlyFans for at least four years, with initial allegations surfacing in international press. However, the current investigation specifically focuses on the UK, where OnlyFans' operating company, Fenix International Limited, is based. The company reported substantial annual pre-tax profits of £513 million in its latest filing. Human rights experts and lawyers who reviewed the BBC's findings contend that the platform is not adequately protecting its creators from exploitation.
Eleanor Lyons, the UK's independent anti-slavery commissioner, stated that the experiences described by creators exhibit recognised signs of exploitation, including control, coercion, financial pressure, and an inability to leave freely. She suggested that the government needs to examine the issue further, noting that a platform might be inadvertently enabling abuse. OnlyFans responded by asserting its commitment to user safety and compliance with the Online Safety Act, clarifying that its relationship is directly with creators and fans, and it does not endorse or influence external contractual relationships creators enter into with third parties.