Can you imagine living in a country that bans your right to be an OnlyFans creator?

Well, as of July 1, 2025, Sweden has officially criminalized the purchase of personalized adult content delivered online, classifying it as a “sexual act carried out remotely.” The sweeping law not only targets buyers with penalties of up to one year in prison but also threatens platforms facilitating such exchanges, leaving content creators in a state of fear and uncertainty.

While the law is framed as part of a broader push to combat sexual exploitation, critics argue it severely misfires, eroding safe digital spaces for adult performers and potentially driving the industry into unregulated, unsafe territory.

“This law takes away the freedom to do what we want with our own lives,” said Amanda Breden, a prominent Swedish content creator who collaborates with her husband on platforms like OnlyFans. “It strips away one of the few ways we can earn safely and independently.”

Amanda Breden, like many others, relies on a combination of subscriptions and custom requests to earn a living. These direct, personalized interactions are now under legal threat.

The Swedish government argues the ban aligns with its long-standing approach to criminalizing the purchase of sexual services rather than punishing the seller. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer framed the law as a tool to reduce fraud, harassment, and exploitation, particularly of vulnerable individuals.

But content creators say the government has misunderstood the dynamics of digital sex work, conflating consensual creator-driven platforms with exploitation. Unlike street-based or in-person sex work, digital platforms offer mechanisms for age verification, consent, content moderation, and payment security.

“Our income will decrease so much that we’ll be forced to offer services and fulfill requests we would otherwise never agree to,” said Emma Larsson, another creator speaking through the European Sex Workers’ Rights Alliance (ESWRA). “We’re losing the safest option we had.”

Major adult content platforms such as OnlyFans and Pornhub have pledged to comply with the law, but specifics remain vague. Many creators fear sudden bans, account suspensions, or income loss due to inconsistent enforcement and unclear rules.

Even for creators not based in Sweden, the chilling effect is spreading. Privacy concerns are growing amid fears of increased surveillance, including potential searches of personal devices and financial records, especially targeting marginalized or independent sex workers.

Advocates worry Sweden’s law could become a blueprint for similar legislation across the EU. With France and the U.S. already tightening restrictions on online adult content through age verification laws, deepfake bans, and AI content regulation, there is concern that Sweden’s approach could trigger a domino effect.

Instead of prohibition, creators and advocates propose balanced alternatives:

• Raising age thresholds for access
• Verified user systems
• Public education on consent and safety
• Targeted bans on non-consensual content (like deepfakes)
• Legal protections for creators working within regulated platforms

Now that the law is in effect, the response from law enforcement, digital platforms, and international rights groups will be closely watched. How platforms handle compliance—and how Sweden enforces the ban—could determine whether this marks a turning point in regulating adult content online, or a dangerous retreat from the rights of consenting adults to control their digital livelihoods.

As Sweden’s content creators brace for an uncertain future, one thing is clear: the ban has ignited a global conversation about consent, censorship, and the safety of sex workers.