OnlyFans has become a popular platform for creators of erotic content but recently itself had to back down on a planned ban on sexually explicit content after an outcry from performers
OnlyFans has become a popular platform for creators of erotic content but recently itself had to back down on a planned ban on sexually explicit content after an outcry from performers AFP / Lionel BONAVENTURE

KEY POINTS

  • The site showed a "403 Forbidden" error when opened
  • The error meant the server was refusing access requests
  • No closure was announced by the company

Adult content subscription platform OnlyFans got banned in Russia, likely by its owners, Russian media outlets reported.

The site showed a "403 Forbidden" error when opened, suggesting that the server refused to authorize access requests, according to a report by Russian media outlet Meduza.

The issue came amid Russia's continuing invasion of Ukraine, which brought on sanctions from different countries and companies – OnlyFans included.

"OnlyFans, the adult content subscription platform, has now been fully banned in Russia," Ukraine state-affiliated UNITED24.media wrote. "This has been reported by multiple Russian Telegram channels."

The post included a mobile phone screengrab of the OnlyFans website, which showed a blank page and the message: "403 Forbidden."

Another Russian media outlet reported that the company did not announce the closure in the Russian Federation and Belarus.

"The service for adults Onlyfans has ceased to open for users from Russia," NEXTA TV wrote. "The company did not announce the closure in the Russian Federation and Belarus, but stopped payments for users from these countries."

The platform suspended payments to content creators from Russia and Belarus and banned users from said countries from subscribing to new creators or watching paid content after President Vladimir Putin announced Russia's invasion in February last year.

"OnlyFans is a creator first business. Over the past few months we have explored several options to continue providing our services to creators impacted by the Russia / Ukraine war," the company said in a statement to Vice's Motherboard.

"However, due to a further tightening of payment restrictions to and from Russia, OnlyFans can no longer properly serve our Russian creator community. As a result, we are taking steps to temporarily pause accounts where payments are received in Russia. We have asked impacted creators to contact support@onlyfans.com who can help address any queries regarding their accounts," the company added.

But some Twitter users noted that the error might only be a technical issue since they were able to access the site again.

"Only fans is already back in Russia. Technical issue or something," a user wrote.

Upon checking using a Russia VPN, the site is working as of today.

What Is OnlyFans And Why Is The App So Popular?
What Is OnlyFans And Why Is The App So Popular?