Sweden Just Made OnlyFans Illegal — Will the World Follow?

Everyone in the adult industry is talking about Sweden's decision to "ban" OnlyFans. Photo: Pixabay

Sweden just became the first country to criminalize buying live or custom sexual content online. It's not a full OnlyFans ban, but it targets the platform's most lucrative and intimate features. Creators are calling it a digital crackdown—and other countries might be next.

Imagine you’re chilling in Stockholm, influencer-corresponding-with-fans, livestreaming a private show—and then BOOM, you’ve just been criminalized. That’s Sweden in July 2025 for you.

What Sweden Just Did

Sweden extended its iconic Nordic model—the law from 1999 that criminalizes buying sex but not selling—to the digital age. As of July 1st, paying for live or custom sexual acts online—think live videos, personalized sexting, private shows on OnlyFans—is officially treated as digital prostitution. Buyers face up to one year in prison, while those who profit or facilitate could face up to four years behind bars.

Pre‑recorded adult content? Still legal. But if a viewer specifically requests or pays for something bespoke—it’s illegal.

Creator Meltdown

Adult creators in Sweden are pissed. Amanda Breden, who built a subscriber-based business via custom DMs and video requests, calls the law “a takedown of our freedom to work on our own terms.” Fellow creator Emma Larsson said bluntly: “Without that income, many of us will be forced into riskier, offline sex work.”.

Sex worker advocacy groups—including the European Sex Workers’ Rights Alliance—warn this could be a dog-whistle for surveillance, stigma, and deplatforming, especially for marginalized creators.

For many creators in Sweden, the ban means that it's time to turn off the webcams. Photo: Pixabay

What Will Be Next For OnlyFans?

The move is part of a larger shuffle: France is doubling down on robust age verification, the EU is targeting deepfake porn, and the US flirted with platform liability laws like SESTA/FOSTA. Sweden’s path may soon be trod by others.

If other countries start treating paid live adult chats as illegal sex acts, the concept of Onlyfans ban Sweden style could go viral—globally. Critics warn it’s not about closing a loophole but building a digital cage that limits sex worker autonomy.

It’s Not Just Policy—it’s Messaging

Social Democrat MP Teresa Carvalho claims the law isn’t anti-performer—it’s anti-exploitation. But most creators weren’t consulted in drafting the bill, and they say their perspective was entirely erased. Civilians and rights groups alike see Sweden’s move as anti-digital expression disguised as progressive policy.

Final Thought

Sweden’s July 2025 law didn’t make OnlyFans illegal, but it did draw a sharp line between what’s deemed legal OnlyFans content and what’s now criminal. The era of Onlyfans ban Sweden–style norms may just be beginning.

For now: customizing content for live requests is gone in Sweden. The big question is—is it just the start?