Swedish Parliament Criminalizes Purchase of Custom Online Sexual Content

Sweden's parliament has passed a law extending its ban on purchasing sexual services to include live, online sexual acts, criminalizing the payment for custom-made or live sexual performances on platforms like OnlyFans. While consumers can still legally pay for and watch pre-recorded sexual content, the purchase of commissioned live acts or custom videos is now illegal, with penalties including imprisonment for buyers and up to four years for those profiting or promoting such acts. The legislation, effective July 1, aligns with Sweden's long-standing Nordic Model approach that criminalizes buyers rather than sex workers, aiming to modernize prostitution laws to cover digital platforms and combat exploitation and trafficking concerns. The new law has faced criticism from sex workers and advocacy groups who argue it misunderstands digital sex work, could reduce independent creators' income, push the industry underground, and compromise the safety and rights of content producers. Swedish lawmakers and supporters contend the law is necessary to address the blurred lines between online pornography and prostitution and to protect vulnerable individuals. Despite the restrictions, OnlyFans as a platform is not banned in Sweden, but specific forms of live, paid sexual performances are now classified as digital prostitution and prohibited.