OnlyFans, an online subscription platform known for adult content has come under the scanner for bribing Meta employees. An explosive lawsuit filed in a US court reveals it has put adult stars of rival platforms on a terror watchlist.
Performer’s Instagram and Facebook accounts were tagged as containing terrorist content
Reportedly, adult performers who sold their pictures, videos, and other content on rival platforms of OnlyFans had their Instagram and Facebook accounts tagged as containing terrorist content.
Sellers of smutty pictures were then “shadowbanned” across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other sites, the suits allege. Targeted accounts also included businesses, celebrities, influencers, and others who “have nothing to do with terrorism,” according to the suits.
It is pertinent to note that Meta works with a non-profit named Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT). The agency maintains a database of terror-linked accounts. GIFCT was established by big tech giants such as Microsoft, Twitter, YouTube, and Meta in 2017. Its aim was to stop the spread of online terror-related content.
Meta can flag any individual as a terrorist. Once it does that it is then censored on other platforms rather quickly. It thereby reduces the reach of the creator and forces them to make an account on OnlyFans. It is because that is the only platform that remains to enjoy immunity from the crackdown.
A senior executive had been in on the bribery scam since October 2018
It is since 2018, that the scam had been ongoing. The complainants have argued that more than one Meta employee, had been in on the bribery scam since October 2018. It includes a senior executive as well.
Moreover, the plaintiffs claim that bribes were routed through Fenix International. It is the parent company of OnlyFans. Reports claim that Fenix International diverted the money through a secret Hong Kong company. Thereafter, the company deposited it eventually into an offshore Philippines account, allegedly operated by the Meta employees.
“When I heard that my content may be listed on the terror watch list, I was outraged,” Alana Evans, an adult performer and one of the plaintiffs in the California suit alongside Kelly Pierce and others, informed. “I was angry because it affected my income when my social media traffic dropped significantly, and I was angry because I am the daughter of a veteran who fought for this country.”
OnlyFans’ owner Leonid Radvinsky has also been named in the lawsuit
OnlyFans’ owner Leonid Radvinsky has also been named in the lawsuit. Reportedly, through the blacklisting, OnlyFans managed to quash its competitors and managed to remain the only company with such an IP.
OnlyFans responded to the allegations by terming them devoid of any merit, “We are aware that these cases have been filed. We are not aware of any evidence which supports these allegations. The alleged participants have all publicly stated that these cases have no merit.”
FanCentro, a rival of OnlyFans had begun legal action against the company in the month of February. However, at the time, the social media company taking part in the scam was unidentified.
Law firm Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman is representing the plaintiffs in suits filed against Meta and OnlyFans. The lawyers claim they have acquired a list of more than 21,000 Instagram accounts they say were unfairly tagged as potential terrorists, previously unreported California superior court filings show.