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The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

theguardian.com

41–50 of 372 posts

Re: The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

#41
post #9

> for these corporations this is not a matter of free expression, as it ought to be, but one of morality Is it really true that banks block transactions related to sex work because they are morally against it? Last time I checked banks just want to make money. This is a genuine question by the way. > But just a few weeks in, Twitch shut it down after a change of policy that included, among other things, a ban on visi…

We know exactly what lengths the bankers are willing to go to when securing a profit. The leadership environment literally selects for the sort of people who are willing to throw a family out of their home because the financial implications don't make sense. They aren't fuzzy, friendly "forgive the debt because of religious teachings" people.

There is no way there is a moral stand here, the idea is absurd. They're locking out sex work because some regulation is making it risky for them. Or maybe the charge-back issue. But probably regulation.

Re: The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

#42
post #10

So do I have to be THAT guy? Fine. Crypto solves this issue...

It really doesn't. Crypto solves anonymity, making it possible for operations to take payments in ways that can't be regulated based on content.

It doesn't solve trust. In fact existing solutions fall way, way, short of what consumers already have. A provider that accepts crypto is 100% unaccountable. You can't do a chargeback on Bitcoin. You get what you get once you make that payment.

Now, it's true that there is an ever growing stable of technologies trying repeatedly to solve the trust problem on top of a crypto base. And none have been remotely successful in any market. Almost all have significant drawbacks. Some have included absolute whoppers of security bugs.

You have to crack that second part before declaring that "crypto solves this". Until then, you aren't going to see any successful small payment markets on this stuff.

Re: The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

#44

The reason the banks, and through the banks OnlyFans, attack sex is because they are accountable, and don't wish to take risks unless they are very profitable risks. The real danger of platforms and banks is how happy they are to censor for the government, or simply the loudest, richest mouth, in order to keep the profit flowing. If you want to fix it, you put in legal protections for people to do business, rather th…

If that were true they wouldnt be investing in Facebook.

Re: The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

#45
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're reacting to regulations designed specifically to make it too much of a headache for them to service these customers.

I feel the influence of the "Christian Taliban" in the ranks of the US government gets underestimated.

Ah, yes, the “Christian Taliban” that is beheading those that disagree with it in broad daylight and broadcasting those beheadings to the rest of the world. Here’s a tip: if you want to be persuasive, try using a little less hyperbole. There may be a point to be made here about the influence of organized religion on U.S. laws, but you’re alienating even those who would be willing to listen to your point by drawing such an absurd equivalence.

Re: The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

#46
post #9

> for these corporations this is not a matter of free expression, as it ought to be, but one of morality Is it really true that banks block transactions related to sex work because they are morally against it? Last time I checked banks just want to make money. This is a genuine question by the way. > But just a few weeks in, Twitch shut it down after a change of policy that included, among other things, a ban on visi…

My understanding is that banks don't really care about sex. At least the one I worked for didn't seem to care. They will take all the money they can get. The more they have, the more they can lend out based on the fractional reserve system. They do care if people are not investing money in their banks and there are investors that don't wish to be associated with adult related organizations. Perhaps there is a way to…

Are chargeback rates higher for porn businesses?

If so, that alone could be a reason to stop servicing them.

Re: The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

#47
post #37

The reason the banks, and through the banks OnlyFans, attack sex is because they are accountable, and don't wish to take risks unless they are very profitable risks. The real danger of platforms and banks is how happy they are to censor for the government, or simply the loudest, richest mouth, in order to keep the profit flowing. If you want to fix it, you put in legal protections for people to do business, rather th…

Agreed, the article goes to the wrong place. The real cause is that most organizations (government, financial institutions, media conglomerates, etc.) are largely controlled by old rich white guys and they don't like people doing things. They are the ones pushing their "morality". We need more diverse and younger people in these positions to evolve our culture more quickly.

I mean, ‘the Patriarchy’ is the old chestnut explanation for most societal ills. Any evidence that it was corrupt old white men? The banks are bowing to external pressure and I am not convinced those voices are the ones necessarily representative of ‘the Patriarchy.’

Re: The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

#48

I was thinking of this just the other day. Just the past few weeks, Apple with CSAM, OnlyFans getting between people and their fans/clients. All of these big corporate moves are making me think more and more of decentralization of platforms. Is that coming?

> Is that coming?

the fact that it's decentralized means you will not be told - and it's on yourself to buy in and be part of.

Re: The real OnlyFans scandal is the unaccountable power of platforms and banks

#50
post #37

The reason the banks, and through the banks OnlyFans, attack sex is because they are accountable, and don't wish to take risks unless they are very profitable risks. The real danger of platforms and banks is how happy they are to censor for the government, or simply the loudest, richest mouth, in order to keep the profit flowing. If you want to fix it, you put in legal protections for people to do business, rather th…

Agreed, the article goes to the wrong place. The real cause is that most organizations (government, financial institutions, media conglomerates, etc.) are largely controlled by old rich white guys and they don't like people doing things. They are the ones pushing their "morality". We need more diverse and younger people in these positions to evolve our culture more quickly.

It’s funny how quickly people blame things on their personal bugbears without evidence.
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