Sweden Expands Prostitution Law to Criminalize Buying Custom Online Sexual Acts

Sweden is enacting a new law effective July 1 that criminalizes buying sexual acts online, equating it with paying for prostitution in person, which places OnlyFans users and similar participants at risk of imprisonment. The law specifically targets live, interactive sexual performances commissioned remotely, while permitting the consumption of pre-recorded adult content. Swedish lawmakers, including Social Democrat MP Teresa Carvalho, argue that this update modernizes legislation to address digital platforms and aims to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and human trafficking. The law also criminalizes profiting from or promoting live sexual acts for compensation. This extension of the Nordic Model, which criminalizes buyers but not sex workers, seeks the abolition of sex work and reflects similar approaches like the U.S.'s SESTA/FOSTA legislation. Critics warn that criminalizing online sex work transactions could increase danger for sex workers, while supporters emphasize the need to combat exploitation and abuse in digital spaces.