A class-action lawsuit filed in California alleges that OnlyFans engages in deceptive practices by promising subscribers “full access” to creators’ content while most material remains locked behind additional paywalls. The complaint claims the adult content platform violates consumer protection laws through false advertising.
The lawsuit, which includes more than 100 class members, alleges that OnlyFans customers who pay for monthly subscriptions are shown a pop-up promising “Full access to this user’s content” and “Direct message with this user.” However, the complaint states that “millions of Fans have bought subscriptions only to discover that, behind OnlyFans’s paywalls, Creators’ exclusive content remains inaccessible.”
According to the filing, many creators only post teaser content for subscribers and require additional payments to view full material. The suit alleges that “the sole ‘benefit’ of many subscriptions is the privilege of being spammed with offers to buy access to content that OnlyFans initially promised.”
The plaintiff, Los Angeles resident David Gardner, claims he paid to subscribe to two creators found on X but only received non-explicit teaser content and mass direct messages soliciting further purchases. Gardner states he “would like to subscribe to different Creators in the future, but cannot rely on OnlyFans’s representations in choosing whether to do so.”
The lawsuit alleges violations of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, which prohibits deceptive advertising tactics, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The complaint summarizes the alleged practice by stating, “In essence, OnlyFans promises a buffet, but provides only a menu.”
OnlyFans has faced multiple lawsuits in recent years. In December, a federal judge dismissed a separate suit claiming the platform and management agencies operated “chatter scams” that misled customers into believing they were communicating directly with creators.
