Concerns Over Child Abuse Material on OnlyFans
Whistleblowers and anti-trafficking experts, along with U.S. federal agents, have raised significant concerns regarding the presence of child abuse material on the content-sharing platform OnlyFans. In discussions held in 2021 and 2022, these experts have reportedly informed payment processors Visa and Mastercard about the issue, which has been underscored by a 2022 study identifying numerous OnlyFans accounts with markers indicative of such illegal content.
Role of Visa and Mastercard in OnlyFans Transactions
Visa and Mastercard play a crucial role in the financial operations of OnlyFans by processing payments between content creators and users. These transactions become problematic when they involve child abuse material, making Visa and Mastercard responsible for handling the proceeds. According to whistleblower complaints, this has prompted calls for action from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and other federal bodies to hold the payment giants accountable under the Bank Secrecy Act for not maintaining adequate Anti-Money Laundering (AML) programs.
OnlyFans' Enforcement of Content Guidelines
Despite the daunting allegations, OnlyFans has not officially responded to the whistleblower’s complaint. However, information available on the company’s website asserts a strict zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse content. The platform claims to actively block or remove content that violates its guidelines and cooperates with law enforcement and child-protection organizations by reporting any illegal activities detected.
Payment Companies Respond to Allegations
Responding to the allegations, spokespeople from both Visa and Mastercard have defended their practices. A Visa representative emphasized the company's commitment to excluding any financial institutions and merchants from its network that fail to meet its compliance standards. On the other hand, a spokesperson from Mastercard denied any shortcomings in its AML programs, reaffirming the company’s dedication to keeping their network free of illegal activities.
