A proposed national bill in France, aimed at combating gender-based and sexual violence, could significantly broaden pimping and procurement measures online, potentially impacting direct-to-consumer adult entertainment platforms such as OnlyFans, MYM, LoyalFans, and Fansly. This legislative move is being interpreted as a potential de facto ban on such websites, which could effectively dismantle the French porn market.

Legislative Details and Potential Impact

Members of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower chamber of France's bicameral parliament, initiated debate on the sweeping measure this week. The legislation, which currently contains approximately 69 articles, is reportedly inspired by input from victims and survivors and is championed by a multipartisan team of feminist lawmakers, including Céline Thiébault-Martinez, MP, a member of the Socialist Party. Numerous stakeholder organizations also support the legislation.

According to the French-language news outlet Le Monde, Article 25 of the bill specifically targets online platforms. This article would criminalize "helping, assisting, or protecting the remote performance by a person ... of acts of a sexual nature in exchange for payment." The bill also imposes penalties on anyone "acting as an intermediary knowing [the] nature of the service," between the sellers and buyers of online sexual content. Violators could face prison time and a fine of about €500,000, which is roughly $573,000.

Sanctions against consumers who violate the bill would begin with fines of up to €1,500, approximately $1,700, and could increase to €3,000, or about $3,440, for repeat violations. The bill states, "This article applies when the remuneration is provided directly by the perpetrator or by a third party, or when it constitutes a determining condition of the performance of the sexual act."

Corey Silverstein, an adult entertainment industry attorney, explained that this type of law is inherently problematic. Silverstein stated, "Preventing sexual violence and exploitation is essential, but legislation must distinguish abuse from consensual adult expression. As described, this proposal risks criminalizing adults who create sexual content voluntarily and the services that support their work. Broad, poorly defined criminal prohibitions can push creators into less transparent environments and make exploitation harder to detect. Lawmakers should focus on coercion, trafficking and child protection, with clear legal standards and meaningful input from the people whose safety and livelihoods are at stake.”

Precedents and Existing Regulations

Similar legislative efforts have been made elsewhere in the European Union. In 2025, Sweden's unicameral Riksdag, its Parliament, adopted a law that criminalizes the purchase of "remote" online sexual services. This proposal goes as far as criminalizing the purchase of "remote" sexual acts, potentially disrupting the entire Swedish market for content creator platforms like OnlyFans. OnlyFans is specifically mentioned throughout the Swedish law. While the French bill does not explicitly name any particular company, its language is broad.

Pornography in France is legal but subject to restrictions. Softcore pornography is restricted to individuals aged 16 and over, while hardcore pornography cannot be sold to minors under 18. Violent or graphic pornography is rated X and is not permitted for display to minors, being shown only in special theaters. Certain pornography is subject to a special VAT: a 33% tax is levied on X-rated movies, and a 50% excise is placed on pornographic online services.

Since 2020, pornographic websites located outside the European Union have been required to implement age verification systems to prevent minors from accessing their content. In 2024, several sites that failed to comply were blocked. As of June 2025, this requirement also applies to pornographic websites located within the European Union. In response, several major porn sites blocked access from France.

In October 2023, the French Court of Cassation allowed the blocking of nine pornographic sites. This verdict followed the National Assembly's vote in favor of a bill restricting pornography for minors. Two child protection associations had demanded the blocking of pornographic websites that did not require age verification. The Court of Cassation ruled in their favor, overturning an earlier decision by the court of appeal. According to the Court of Cassation, Internet service providers may be held accountable for the content they host, even if they do not own the website. Therefore, a provider may choose to block a website without consulting the publisher. Justine Atlan, general director of e-Enfance, one of the child protection organizations involved, expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating that the court of appeal, which will retry the case, should rule on the merits and condemn non-compliant pornographic sites.

Historical Context of Pornography Regulation in France

In 1923, France signed the International Convention for the Suppression of the Circulation of and Traffic in Obscene Publications, committing to outlaw obscene materials. In 1974, newly elected French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing announced the end of government censorship of pornography, which allowed the softcore film Emmanuelle to be shown in cinemas across the country. In 1975, the "Loi X" was announced, establishing an "X" classification for hard-core pornography. This law added a special 20% tax on these movies, prevented minors from viewing them, and restricted their showing to X-rated adult cinemas.

Key Facts

  • A proposed French bill could expand pimping and procurement measures online, potentially impacting direct-to-consumer adult entertainment platforms.
  • The bill, with approximately 69 articles, is championed by feminist lawmakers, including Céline Thiébault-Martinez, MP.
  • Article 25 of the bill would criminalize "helping, assisting, or protecting the remote performance by a person ... of acts of a sexual nature in exchange for payment."
  • Violators could face prison time and fines of about €500,000 (approximately $573,000).
  • Consumer sanctions could range from €1,500 (approximately $1,700) to €3,000 (approximately $3,440) for repeat violations.
  • Similar legislation in Sweden, adopted in 2025, criminalizes the purchase of "remote" online sexual services.
  • Since 2020, pornographic websites in France have been required to implement age verification systems for minors.