Experienced dominatrix and sex worker Melissa Todd expresses skepticism about the UK government’s latest porn crackdown, particularly its proposal to restrict screenshotting and saving of intimate images and videos.
New Regulations Target Non-Consensual Content
Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, states that the measures make it illegal to create or share ‘semen-defaced’ images without consent or to depict incest or step-family scenarios on adult sites. Proponents argue these steps, including screenshot restrictions, will curb non-consensual sharing of intimate material.
Content Theft Remains a Persistent Issue
Todd, who has sold adult content online for nearly 30 years, reports frequent theft of her work. Her full OnlyFans library—6,500 photos and 916 videos—often appears on unauthorized sites. Platforms like OnlyFans remove cloned content quickly upon notification, but it reemerges elsewhere, resembling a never-ending game of whack-a-mole.
She advises aspiring models that no true paywall exists online. Once content is released, creators lose control. Todd recommends only sharing material comfortable for public viewing, such as with family members.
Screenshot Bans Face Practical Hurdles
Todd doubts the screenshot prohibition will succeed. Tech-savvy individuals bypass app-based blocks by photographing screens with another device, using screen-recording software, or employing advanced extraction methods.
Respectful subscribers adhere to rules, paying fees, tipping, and keeping content private. However, determined pirates ignore copyright warnings and continue redistributing material. Criminalizing screenshots further offers little deterrence to those already breaking laws.
Unexpected Benefits of Content Sharing
Adult creators build careers leveraging internet dynamics, including incidental sharing. Todd notes that old images and clips on fan sites or social media often attract new paying subscribers. Teaser screenshots, cropped videos, or viral moments introduce performers to fresh audiences, blending piracy with promotion in online culture.
The digital economy prioritizes attention before revenue, and limited circulation can boost subscriptions.
Risks to the Adult Industry
Stricter platform responsibilities could lead to reduced adult content hosting. History shows new safety rules prompt algorithms to deprioritize or remove such material, alongside payment processor restrictions and social media bans. Industry professionals fear ‘protecting porn’ may result in its diminished presence.
Addressing Image Abuse Thoughtfully
Protecting victims of intimate image abuse remains crucial, with approximately 4.4 million people in England and Wales facing threats of non-consensual sharing. This abuse inflicts severe harm and demands robust safeguards.
However, Todd highlights a key distinction: professional, consensual adult content differs from revenge porn. Equating them risks ineffective solutions that address symptoms— like screenshots—over malicious intent, potentially complicating lives for creators who emphasize consent and boundaries in their work.
