OnlyFans Competitor, Passes, Under Legal Scrutiny for Hosting Underage Content
Lucy Guo's startup, Passes, widely seen as a rival to OnlyFans, is currently embroiled in legal difficulties following a lawsuit initiated by a Florida teenager. The complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, accuses the platform of carrying sexually explicit images of the plaintiff, Alice Rosenblum, when she was still a minor.
Details of the Allegation
The lawsuit alleges that Rosenblum was only 17 when she was persuaded by talent agent Alec Celestin and Lani Ginoza, former director of talent at Passes, to post nude images and videos on the platform. These individuals, who are now defendants in the lawsuit, reportedly bypassed necessary safety measures such as parental permissions and direct messaging restrictions for minors.
Company's Response to the Accusations
In a defense statement, Passes spokesperson Andrew Brimmer declared the lawsuit as "untethered from reality," emphasizing that the platform has stringent guidelines against such misconduct. According to Brimmer, the issues cited are related to actions by a third-party talent manager that violated Passes' terms of service.
Enhanced Safety Measures and Creator Support
Following the controversy, Passes installed a rigorous policy banning all creators under 18 and expelled any existing content from underage users. Andrew Brimmer reiterated the platform's commitment to creator safety, noting that underage creators made up only a minor portion of the user base prior to these measures.
Broader Implications of the Lawsuit
The situation highlights wider issues concerning minors' online presence and potential vulnerabilities. Due to insufficient enforcement of age restrictions, teenagers were able to upload content on the platform. This case and Guo's subsequent corporate disputes, including a separate lawsuit by Famous Birthdays over alleged misuse of content, mirror broader challenges in the governance of digital platforms.
Looking Ahead: Regulatory Challenges and Platform Accountability
As Passes confronts these legal challenges, the outcomes are set to influence future regulatory frameworks for digital content platforms, especially concerning the protection and participation of minors. This legal battle underscores the critical need for vigilant enforcement of user age restrictions to ensure the safety of all content creators.
