How OnlyFans transformed porn
Since it was founded in 2016 by a well-heeled Brit, OnlyFans has grown into a giant of x-rated content. The platform, whose current owner, a secretive Ukrainian-American, is reportedly looking to sell it for $8bn, is used by over 4m 'creators', who post content, and over 300m 'fans', who pay for it. In the 12 months to November 2023, the latest data available, it brought in revenue of $1.3bn. At around 50%, its operating margin was higher than those of tech giants such as Alphabet, Meta and Microsoft. OnlyFans has not only been an enormous financial success. It has transformed how porn is made, shared and consumed online.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Nato chief praises Trump for making Europe ‘pay in a big way' on defence
The US president, while flying aboard Air Force One en route to The Hague, published a screenshot of a private message from Mr Rutte saying: 'Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe and the world. You will achieved something NO American president in decades could get done.' Mr Rutte also wrote: 'Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.' Nato confirmed that he sent the message. The allies are likely to endorse a goal of spending 5% of their gross domestic product on their security, to be able to fulfil the alliance's plans for defending against outside attack. Still, Spain has said it cannot, and that the target is 'unreasonable'. Slovakia said that it reserves the right to decide how to reach the target by Nato's new 2035 deadline. 'There's a problem with Spain. Spain is not agreeing, which is very unfair to the rest of them, frankly,' US President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way to the summit. In 2018, a Nato summit during Mr Trump's first term unravelled due to a dispute over defence spending. Ahead of the two-day meeting, Britain, France and Germany committed to the 5% goal. Host country the Netherlands is also on board. Nations closer to the borders of Ukraine, Russia and its ally Belarus had previously pledged to do so. Mr Trump's first appearance at Nato since returning to the White House was supposed to centre on how the US secured the historic military spending pledge from others in the security alliance — effectively bending it to its will. But in the spotlight instead is Mr Trump's decision to strike three nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran that the administration says eroded Tehran's nuclear ambitions, as well as the president's sudden announcement that Israel and Iran had reached a 'complete and total ceasefire'. Ukraine has also suffered as a result of that conflict. It has created a need for weapons and ammunition that Kyiv desperately wants, and shifted the world's attention away. Past Nato summits have focused almost entirely on the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. Still, Mr Rutte insists it remains a vital issue for Nato, and that the allies can manage more than one conflict. 'If we would not be able to deal with… the Middle East, which is very big and commanding all the headlines, and Ukraine at the same time, we should not be in the business of politics and military at all,' he said. 'If you can only deal with one issue at a time, that will be that. Then let other people take over.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in The Hague for a series of meetings, despite his absence from a leaders' meeting aiming to seal the agreement to boost military spending. It is a big change since the summit in Washington last year, when the military alliance's weighty communique included a vow to supply long-term security assistance to Ukraine, and a commitment to back the country 'on its irreversible path' to Nato membership. Mr Zelensky's first official engagement was with Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof at his official residence just across the road from the summit venue. But in a telling sign of Ukraine's status at the summit, neither leader mentioned Nato. Ukraine's bid to join the alliance has been put in deep freeze by Mr Trump. 'Let me be very clear, Ukraine is part of the family that we call the Euro-Atlantic family,' Mr Schoof told Mr Zelensky, who in turn said he sees his country's future in peace 'and of course, a part of a big family of EU family'. Mr Schoof used the meeting to announce a new package of Dutch support to Kyiv including 100 radar systems to detect drones and a move to produce drones for Ukraine in the Netherlands, using Kyiv's specifications. The US has made no new public pledges of support to Ukraine since Mr Trump took office six months ago. Meeting later with Mr Rutte and top EU officials, Mr Zelensky appealed for European investment in Ukraine's defence industry, which can produce weapons and ammunition more quickly and cheaply than elsewhere in Europe. 'No doubt, we must stop (Russian President Vladimir) Putin now and in Ukraine. But we have to understand that his objectives reach beyond Ukraine. European countries need to increase defence spending,' he said. He said that Nato's new target of 5% of GDP 'is the right level'. In a joint tribune on the eve of this year's summit, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said they backed US peace efforts that should preserve Ukraine's sovereignty and European security. 'For as long as the current trajectory lasts, Russia will find in France and Germany an unshakeable determination. What is at stake will determine European stability for the decades to come,' they wrote in the Financial Times. 'We will ensure that Ukraine emerges from this war prosperous, robust and secure, and will never live again under the fear of Russian aggression,' the two leaders wrote.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Britain to expand nuclear deterrent fleet of new fighter jets
The jets, a variant of the F35Bs the UK already uses, can carry conventional weapons, but can also be equipped with nuclear bombs. The Prime Minister has said that the UK 'can no longer take peace for granted' and that the move shows ministers are 'investing in our national security'. Sir Keir is gathered with leaders of other Nato nations – including Donald Trump – in the Hague, where they are expected to formally agree a 5% of GDP defence and security spending pledge. The Prime Minister said: 'In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security, ensuring our armed forces have the equipment they need and communities up and down the country reap the benefits from our defence dividend.' The decision on the jets represents a victory for the Royal Air Force, which has long pushed for a return of its nuclear capabilities since the last British air-dropped nuclear weapon was withdrawn from service after the end of the Cold War. Since then, the UK's nuclear deterrent has been carried exclusively by the Royal Navy's submarines, which the Government has also promised to invest in renewing with four new vessels. Nato's nuclear mission involves allied aircraft being equipped with American B61 bombs stockpiled in Europe. Seven nations currently contribute so-called 'dual capability aircraft' to Nato's nuclear mission, but the use of nuclear weapons would require the authorisation of the alliance's nuclear planning group as well as the US president and British prime minister. Alongside the nuclear announcement, the UK is set to provide 350 air defence missiles to Ukraine as Sir Keir and Defence Secretary John Healey push for Nato to provide Kyiv with further support. Donald Trump is among the world leaders attending the Nato summit (Suzanne Plunkett/PA) The delivery will be funded by £70 million raised from the interest on seized Russian assets. Sir Keir said: 'Russia, not Ukraine, should pay the price for Putin's barbaric and illegal war, so it is only right we use the proceeds from seized Russian assets to ensure Ukraine has the air defence it needs.' Mr Trump is also among the world leaders at the summit, and told reporters on the way to the Netherlands that it would depend 'on your definition' when asked if he would commit to Nato's Article 5, which requires members to defend each other from attack. Wednesday is expected to see Nato allies formally sign up to the target of spending 5% of the GDP on defence. It is a significant jump from the current 2% Nato target, and details of what counts towards it are due to be set out during this week's summit, but it is likely to include spending on energy and border security as well as intelligence agencies. On Tuesday, Sir Keir said that the UK would stick to its commitment not to raise taxes to reach the new target. 'Clearly we've got commitments in our manifesto about not making tax rises on working people and we will stick to our manifesto commitments,' the Prime Minister told reporters in the Netherlands. Sir Keir spent his first day at the summit in meetings with other world leaders, including Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Man takes Tesla for WeBuyAnyCar valuation after one year - and price is brutal
Harley Perkins, who shares advice on cars and vans, was left stunned after taking his pride and joy for a valuation - and the price was a lot lower than he was expecting A motorist was left gobsmacked when he took his one year old Tesla for a valuation, despite having owned the car for only 12 months. As most drivers are aware, cars depreciate in value as soon as they roll off the showroom floor. Except for rare future classics, many of us face steep depreciation after just a few years. But how severe is this drop? One content creator decided to put his Tesla to the test. YouTuber Harley Perkins, who posts videos about cars, vans and bikes - often offering advice to new drivers on UK roads - decided to see what his Tesla Model Y would fetch at WeBuyAnyCar, reports the Express. He documented the entire process in a short video that has since gone viral on social media. Harley explained that after shelling out £52,000 for the electric SUV a year earlier - and clocking less than 15,000 miles - he was intrigued to see what price the car-buying service would offer. He noted that similar Teslas were listed for around £36,000-£37,000 on AutoTrader before revealing the surprising offer. In the video, the WeBuyAnyCar inspector told him the car was valued at just £27,132 - nearly half the original price of the American-built EV. When asked to justify the valuation, the employee explained the Tesla was graded as a 'Grade 2' car. This means it had a few chips or blemishes, as only a 'Grade 1' vehicle is considered to be in perfect showroom condition. Commenters were left stunned by the valuation so soon after purchase. WeBuyAnyCar was contacted for a response. A spectator commented: "Over 2k a month loss, great way to lose money," while another added their two pence with: "F**k mate, that's horrendous." Doubts were raised by some viewers over the valuation software utilised by the purchasers, and suggestions flew that this significant dip in value might also be linked to the motor being electric. So there you have it, depreciation sure does bite – reckon your ride might face the same fate?
