2 hrs ago
Ukraine Weighs Pornography Decriminalisation to Fund War Effort
Ukraine is thinking about changing its laws on pornography.
The proposed change would stop treating adult-content production and distribution as crimes.
It would also allow creators and businesses to pay taxes legally.
Supporters estimate this could raise about $25 million each year.
They say some of that money could help buy military drones during the war with Russia.
The current rules create a problem because creators may have to pay taxes while still breaking pornography laws.
Officials also say police have allegedly demanded money from some studios to avoid prosecution.
The bill has passed its first vote in parliament.
It now needs another vote before it can become law.
A Ukrainian bill would decriminalise pornography production, distribution and possession.
Supporters say taxation could raise about $25 million annually for wartime needs.
Estimates suggest the revenue could help fund roughly 30,000 military drones.
About 7,900 Ukrainian OnlyFans creators earned more than $131 million in 2023.
The bill passed its first reading and awaits a second parliamentary vote.
- Who
- Ukrainian lawmakers, adult-content creators, tax authorities and law-enforcement agencies are involved; opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak co-authored the bill.
- What
- Parliament is considering decriminalising pornography and taxing the adult-entertainment industry.
- Where
- Ukraine, including the Verkhovna Rada and studios in three Ukrainian regions.
- When
- The bill has passed its first reading and is awaiting a second reading.
- Why
- Supporters want to resolve conflicting tax and criminal laws, curb alleged police extortion and raise revenue for the war effort.
Key facts
- Estimated annual revenue
- About $25 million under standard business taxation, according to bill supporters.
- Potential military use
- Supporters estimate the revenue could fund around 30,000 military drones.
- Creators on OnlyFans
- About 7,900 Ukrainian creators earned more than $131 million through the platform in 2023.
- Current legal position
- Production, distribution and possession of pornography are criminal offences under the existing system.
- Alleged protection payments
- Prosecutors said police departments in three regions collected more than $20,000 per month from local studios.
- Parliamentary status
- The bill has cleared its first reading and awaits a second reading.
- Petition support
- A petition led by creator Svitlana Dvornikova gathered more than 25,000 signatures within days.
Quotes
Yaroslav Zhelezniak
Ukrainian opposition lawmaker and member of the Verkhovna Rada’s finance committee
“These women either don't pay taxes and face criminal charges for that, or they pay taxes and get charged with violating pornography laws.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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