Fact Check: Sweden had banned Onlyfans website

Fact Check: Sweden Had Banned OnlyFans Website

What We Know

On May 20, 2025, the Swedish Parliament passed a new law that criminalizes the purchase of sexual acts conducted online, which includes platforms like OnlyFans. This legislation makes it illegal to pay for someone to perform a sexual act remotely, effectively targeting services that allow for direct compensation for such acts, including webcam performances and custom adult content (source-1, source-2). However, the law does not prohibit the viewing or purchasing of pre-recorded sexual material or live streams that are not specifically requested by the user (source-3).

The law is part of Sweden's broader implementation of the Nordic Model, which criminalizes the buyer of sexual services while decriminalizing the seller. This model is based on the premise that all prostitution is inherently exploitative, positioning buyers as perpetrators and sellers as victims (source-2). Critics argue that this approach could push sex work further underground, reducing safety and autonomy for sex workers (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Sweden has banned OnlyFans is partially true. While the law does not outright ban the platform itself, it imposes significant restrictions on how it can operate. Specifically, it criminalizes the purchase of live sexual acts, which directly impacts how content creators on OnlyFans can monetize their work. This means that while users can still access pre-recorded content, the ability to engage in live, compensated interactions is effectively curtailed (source-3, source-4).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is generally high, as they come from established news outlets and legal monitoring organizations. However, there is a notable bias in some reports, particularly from advocacy groups like the European Sex Workers Rights' Alliance (ESWA), which argue that such laws harm sex workers by driving them underground and increasing their vulnerability (source-1). The criticism from these groups highlights the potential negative implications of the law, suggesting that it may not provide the protection it aims to offer.

Conclusion

The claim that Sweden has banned OnlyFans is partially true. The new law does not prohibit the platform itself but criminalizes the purchase of live sexual acts, which significantly restricts how content creators can operate on it. This law reflects Sweden's ongoing commitment to the Nordic Model of sex work regulation, which has been met with both support and criticism. While the intention may be to protect individuals, the practical implications could undermine the safety and autonomy of sex workers.

Sources

1. Parliament Criminalizes the Purchase of Online Sexual Acts
2. Is buying OnlyFans content now illegal in Sweden?
3. OnlyFans faces ban in Sweden as new law targets live adult content
4. Sweden restricts OnlyFans
5. Sweden Bans Buying Adult OnlyFans Content
6. OnlyFans Content Could Be Banned In Sweden
7. Sweden Cracks Down on OnlyFans – Will U.S. Follow Suit?
8. 'Takes away our safest option': Adult creators react to law