OnlyFans, an online platform widely recognized for its adult content, is now accessible in China after years of being blocked.
Newsweek confirmed the subscription-based platform’s accessibility on the Chinese internet. According to Greatfire.org, a site that monitors and assists users in bypassing China’s so-called “Great Firewall,” OnlyFans has been continuously accessible since November 29. Records show intermittent access on 20 random days since July 2020.
Netizens on Chinese social media began commenting last week that they could visit OnlyFans directly, without relying on virtual private networks (VPNs), which are typically required to access blocked foreign sites like Facebook.
Chinese users reacted energetically on social media, with some influencers announcing plans to create OnlyFans accounts and inviting followers to join them on the platform.
OnlyFans on a laptop on November 16, 2022, in London, England. The platform is currently accessible in China without a VPN.
John Phillips/Getty Images
Many heralded the site as a potential boost to the youth employment rate, which has taken a hit amid China’s post-pandemic economic slowdown. The National Bureau of Statistics reported a 17.6 percent unemployment rate in September among those aged 16 to 24.
“This could raise the employment rate and broaden career options for college students,” one user remarked.
Another quipped: “It’s to revitalize the economy and let us make money from foreigners.”
Others joked that the move might be a desperate attempt to boost China‘s declining birth rate.
Some netizens suggested OnlyFans could serve as an outlet for pent-up stress. “It can alleviate sexual repression, release social pressure, and reduce friction and conflict,” one said.
But not all the reactions were positive.
One Weibo user criticized the many “thirsty men” who appeared to be excited by the news.
Another warned that despite the easier access, creating adult content could still lead to severe legal consequences. “Whoever dares to make money on it will be judged severely,” they wrote.
Prostitution and the production of pornographic content are illegal in China, and violators can face short jail terms and steep fines.
The London-based website launched in 2016, but really picked up steam in 2020 during the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the International Union of Sex Workers, OnlyFans attracts over 300 million unique visits per month, and 87 percent of users are male.
While the platform has gained notoriety for its erotic content, it also supports creators offering non-sexual material, from home fitness to cooking tutorials. The majority of creators earn less than $145 monthly, with one-third of all earnings concentrated among the top 1 percent of accounts.
Newsweek reached out to the Chinese foreign ministry and OnlyFans by email with requests for comment.
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