A content subscription website has made a U-turn on plans to ban sexually explicit content in October – and one Lancashire creator said it has shaken the community.

OnlyFans, a platform used by sex workers but also celebrities, musicians and comedians, allows “creators” to share pictures and videos with viewers who pay a monthly fee.

They recently announced rules to prohibit “any content containing sexually explicit conduct."

However, yesterday (25 August) it was announced that they are going back on these plans and suspending the policy change after receiving a backlash.

In a tweet, OnlyFans wrote: “Thank you to everyone for making your voices heard.

“We have secured assurances necessary to support our diverse creator community and have suspended the planned October 1 policy change.

“OnlyFans stands for inclusion and we will continue to provide a home for all creators.”

 

Kaya Corbridge, is an OnlyFans creator from Colne.

Kaya has built up a sizeable following on the site which she started in 2017 after being a “skint student”.

In the four years that followed she became one of the platform’s top one per cent of earners.

She said some models have lost trust in the platform due to the confusing messages the company is giving out.

Kaya said: “My accountant predicted that [OnlyFans] would do this.

“It’s part of the reason that I stayed so calm and didn’t panic or move to another site.

“However, I know this hasn’t been the reaction of other models. They have lost a lot of faith and trust in the platform.”

After speaking to some of them, Kaya said some of the models and big names are leaving OnlyFans for good and migrating to competitor websites.

While the 24-year-old acknowledged that she has always “had [her] guard up” around the company, she is sticking with the site for now.

She said: “I think they could change their mind at any time and I think they might do.

“But I am going to carry on as normal and I’m going to keep building up my profile on other websites… but my main focus is still going to be OnlyFans.”

Kaya believes there is an underlying level of discrimination in her industry which needs to be addressed.

She said it’s not the first time she and other sex workers have been left uncertain about their future and finances.

She explained: “I do believe we are discriminated against from many companies, organisations and industries.

“They just don’t take you seriously and we are treated like second class citizens anywhere we go really.

“For example, it’s hard finding a bank which won’t close you down.”

Kaya said she doesn’t think sex work is going away any time soon and adds that society needs to become more accepting.

She said: “Sex work is not going anywhere – if anything it’s just going to become bigger and we will come back stronger.

“We built OnlyFans... they’re our subscribers - we brought them there and we can take them away.”

OnlyFans has been approached for comment.