OnlyFans is often immediately recognised as an adult content platform. Yet, according to digital culture scholar Dr. Emily van der Nagel, the company sidesteps embracing the kinds of explicit material that define it. What does this mean for the creators who make their living on the platform, and for its and governments' responsibilities?

In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver and Emily explore how the OnlyFans platform design and corporate strategy shape the experiences of its creators and users. Their conversation examines questions of worker agency, platform power and regulation, copyright, the blurry line between art and porn, and what making a living through platform work can reveal about the broader digital economy and our society. 

This podcast episode does include adult themes, so exercise your judgement as to if and when you listen to this episode.

Links

OnlyFans | Emily van der Nagel

Why OnlyFans had second thoughts on banning sexually explicit content | The Guardian


Competing platform imaginaries of NSFW content creation on OnlyFans | Emily van der Nagel

Digital Economy Strategy | Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science, and Resources