AMSTERDAM — The Riksdag, Sweden’s parliament, has approved a proposal to criminalize purchasing sexual services performed remotely by streamers and custom content creators.
As XBIZ reported last month, Swedish law already criminalizes purchasing or procuring in-person sexual services but does not criminalize sex workers who provide such services. This approach is commonly referred to as the “Nordic model.” Under the new law, anyone who pays someone to perform a sexual act online, without actual physical contact, will now be subject to the same criminal liability as those who hire in-person sex workers.
The law also includes liability for “procuring” such services, which could lead to enforcement against fan and webcam platforms, or conceivably even against creators who collaborate together.
Swedish creators have expressed concern that, under the new law, OnlyFans’ and other creator platforms’ terms of service could preclude Swedish creators from using the site — and that the law could even criminalize their personal lives, since living with a partner or receiving support could now be considered “pimping.”
An OnlyFans spokeswoman told XBIZ, "OnlyFans complies with all laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which it operates," but did not elaborate on any specific compliance measures in response to the new law.
The ESWA, a sex worker-led network representing more than 100 organizations in 30 countries across Europe and Central Asia, has called the law “a regressive and dangerous step that threatens the human rights, privacy, safety, and livelihoods of sex workers and digital creators in Sweden and beyond.”
The ESWA noted that websites and platforms hosting or facilitating consensual digital sex work could be prosecuted for “digital pimping.”
Swedish creator Cara, who goes by ScandiDreamgirl, told XBIZ, "I and many other creators are extremely worried about how the sites will act when the law comes into effect July 1. Sadly, none of the sites are willing to answer that question."
Cara added that she is moving to Denmark and is hoping to set up her business there before creator platforms close her accounts or shutter operations in Sweden.
