Sweden restricts OnlyFans and live sex work under new law from July 1

Other countries are enforcing outright bans on OnlyFans – the subscription-based online platform where creators can share adult or explicit content.

Sweden’s parliament passed a landmark law on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, effectively banning live, paid sexual performances online – including those on platforms like OnlyFans. The new legislation, which comes into force on Monday, July 1, makes it a criminal offence to pay someone to perform sexual acts live via video.

The law doesn’t block access to pre-recorded content but draws a legal line at “commissioned” live sexual services, such as cam shows or sex chats, which are now classified as forms of digital prostitution.

What exactly does Sweden’s new law say?

The legislation updates the country’s long-standing zero-tolerance approach to prostitution, extending it to online platforms.

Under the new law, it’s now illegal to offer payment in exchange for a live online sexual performance. It also criminalises profiting from or promoting such live sexual content. However, it remains legal to pay for and watch pre-recorded material – as long as it wasn’t custom-ordered.

“This is a new form of sex purchase,” said Social Democrat MP Teresa Carvalho. “It’s high time we modernise the legislation to include digital platforms” (Cited by Euractiv).

Fellow MP Sanna Backeskog described the move as necessary due to how digital sex work can blur the lines between pornography, human trafficking, and abuse. “[This is about] digitalised prostitution,” she told TT News Agency, citing links to grooming and exploitation, as reported by USA Today.

Is OnlyFans now banned in Sweden?

No. Sweden has not banned OnlyFans, but rather restricted specific types of content.

What’s allowed:

• Watching and paying for pre-recorded sexual content
• Subscribing to OnlyFans accounts that don’t offer live sex shows

What’s banned:

• Paying someone for a live sexual performance
• Promoting or profiting from others who do

The move follows a broader global discussion around regulating digital sex work and safeguarding vulnerable individuals, particularly minors and trafficking victims.

Sweden is far from alone in tightening rules around platforms like OnlyFans. Some countries have outright bans, while others enforce partial restrictions.

Countries where OnlyFans is banned or blocked:

• Afghanistan
• Angola
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• China
• India (only for creators)
• Iran
• Kuwait
• Pakistan
• Qatar
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates

What does OnlyFans say?

A spokesperson for OnlyFans said the company “complies with all laws and regulations” in each country it operates – cited by USA Today.

Despite this, creators are increasingly facing restrictions, not just abroad, but also at home. Last year, a Royal Navy worker in the UK was fired for running an OnlyFans account, prompting public backlash.

Similarly, online backlash spiralled after a British influencer and OnlyFans creator left her underwear in the bakery section inside a Mercadona supermarket in Spain.

Does OnlyFans have a future?

Sweden’s new law could influence other European nations to revisit how they regulate digital sex work, especially in cases where exploitation may occur. With the line between social media fame, adult content, and exploitation becoming increasingly blurred, perhaps a line needs to be drawn between freedom of expression and online protection.

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