As the popularity of OnlyFans and other content creation platforms continues to soar, content creator harassment has emerged as a concerning and fast-growing problem. This problem puts the safety, dignity, and livelihoods of individuals at risk. Cyberclaims understands the importance of content creators feeling safe and respected on the platform they use to create their content. Our experienced investigators can assist content creators experiencing harassment on OnlyFans and other platforms. We provide a rigorous and comprehensive technical investigation that identifies the offender and provides our clients with the evidence they need to take action against the anonymous offender. If you’re a content creator and are experiencing harassment, contact us today to take a stand against cyberbullying and reclaim your power.
OnlyFans is a subscription-based social media platform that allows users to share photos and videos with paying customers. Although OnlyFans hosts a range of content, it is most well-known for explicit adult content. Content creators charge their subscribers a monthly fee between $4.99 and $49.00 as well as offering additional customised pay-per-view posts. While the average earnings on OnlyFans are around $180, top accounts can make $10,000s/month, with the company taking a 20% cut. Launched in 2016, the British-based site has grown significantly during the pandemic, reaching a market valuation of more than $1bn. It boasts more than 120 million users worldwide, including celebrities like Cardi B and Bella Thorne.
OnlyFans has taken the world by storm since its launch in 2016, but its explosive growth was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With people locked down and unable to work, the platform became a lifeline for many creators, enabling them to generate income from home.
According to reports, OnlyFans has more than 120 million users worldwide, making it one of the fastest-growing tech platforms in the UK. The site’s success is largely attributed to the fact that it offers a space for creators to share exclusive content with their fans behind a paywall. OnlyFans has been plagued with reports of harassment, abuse, and impersonation scams. Studies show that about 70% of content creators reported experiencing bullying, sexual harassment, and identity attacks. Anonymity is a key enabler of abuse, making it difficult for content creators to identify their offenders.
Harassment on OnlyFans comes in different forms and via various channels. Some offenders send unwanted, disgusting, or degrading messages via the OnlyFans messaging feature, email, or other social media. Others leave hateful comments on a content creator’s OnlyFans posts or their other social media accounts like Facebook or Instagram. Finally, some perpetrators misuse the dedicated OnlyFans gift feature to send offensive unsolicited gifts. Pirating of content, data breaches, and hacking are other forms of harassment that creators face. These are particularly frustrating for OnlyFans creators since the site’s key appeal is that photos and videos are locked behind a paywall.
Content creator harassment on OnlyFans takes on a more serious tone with stalking, doxxing, and extortion. Stalking, or the unwanted and repeated surveillance of another person, can take place online (cyberstalking) or in person. Cyberstalking involves harassing and intimidating someone by “following” them across multiple social media platforms against their wishes. Doxxing, or the release of private/identifiable information about a person without their consent, can lead to the release of personal information into real life. Finally, the threat of releasing personally identifiable information and/or explicit images and videos to family members, work colleagues or acquaintances in exchange for sexual favors or financial gain constitutes the crime of sexual extortion.
Content creators can block and/or report offending users on OnlyFans. However, this approach has three limitations. Firstly, OnlyFans is largely unmoderated, and uses an automated system that is criticized for not having quick responses. Secondly, offenders can create new accounts and continue harassing content creators. Thirdly, blocking offending users does not prevent them from accessing creators’ public content.
Despite these issues, OnlyFans remains a popular platform for creators to earn money and connect with fans. The platform’s success has led to several copycat sites, but OnlyFans’ loyal fan base and focus on building personal connections have helped it maintain its dominance in the market. The growth of OnlyFans and other content creation platforms has brought with it the problem of content creator harassment. Cyberclaims understands the importance of content creators feeling safe and respected on the platform they use to create their content. With our extensive knowledge and deep understanding of online harassment, we are dedicated to protecting the online presence of our clients. If you or someone you know is experiencing harassment or other forms of online abuse, Cyberclaims is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in safeguarding your online presence.