Timeline Overview

This serves as a basic timeline overview of how laws have shaped the porn industry, and effected performers over the course of history.

1873 | US | Comstock Laws

1957 | US | Roth v United States

1969 | EU | Danish Pornography Legalisation

1973 | US | Miller v California

198_ | US | Dworkin/MacKinnon Civil Ordinances

1985 | UK | Indecent Displays Control Act

1995 | AU | National Classification Code

1988 | US | Communications Decency Act

1999 | AU | Broadcasting Services Amendment

2003 | US | PROTECT Act

2007 | EU | AVMS Directive

2014 | UK | Audiovisual Media Services Regulations

2016 | UK | Digital Economy Act

2018 | US | FOSTA-SESTA

2020 | US | Visa + Mastercard Policy Changes

2021 | UK | OnlyFans Ban (Reversed)

2023 | UK | Online Safety Act

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Book Recs

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Sources

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FOSTA-SESTA

FOSTA-SESTA is a set of U.S. laws passed in 2018 that significantly altered the legal framework governing online platforms and sexual content. It created new liabilities for websites that host or facilitate content related to sex work, particularly where that content could be interpreted as promoting or enabling prostitution.

The law operates by expanding platform responsibility. Rather than targeting individual workers directly, it places legal risk on the platforms that host user-generated content. This incentivises companies to remove or heavily restrict sexual content in order to avoid potential liability.

In practice, this led to widespread changes across the internet. Many websites shut down entirely, particularly those used for advertising or screening clients. Others implemented broad content bans, often removing material that fell well outside the law’s intended scope.

Mechanism of impact:

• Increased legal liability for platforms
• Over-censorship as risk avoidance
• Removal of advertising and communication tools
• Consolidation of activity onto fewer, more restrictive platforms

While framed as an anti-trafficking measure, the law’s effects have extended far beyond its stated targets.

Impact across sectors:

Porn performers: Platforms hosting adult content introduced stricter rules, removed material, or banned explicit content altogether. This reduced income opportunities and increased reliance on a small number of compliant platforms.

Full-service sex workers: The shutdown of advertising sites limited the ability to screen clients and work independently, increasing reliance on less safe alternatives.