Re:OnlyFans shows Visa and MasterCard are 'choke-points' of ...
by dragonwriter on Tuesday August 24, 2021 @06:06AM
(#28286834)
> The stated goal is to reduce criminal behavior, but obviously, the main goal is for MasterCard to protect its brand image
No, the main goal is protect their bottom line against legal liability. Visa and MC have been proactive in anti-trafficking measures because they have been sued for facilitating online trafficking, because they are very deep pockets defendants that tend to have a nexus to sites involved in commercially distributing trafficking-derived content. So, if there's any whiff of information that they have regarding even the potential of trafficking, they are going to take action to minimize the potential for legal action accusing them of knowingly facilitating trafficking, which has already occurred in previous cases.
> Folks are unsure how much actual impact this kind of policy will have against the very real and terrible problem of sex exploitation and trafficking. Which leads people to wonder if the policy is more about being prude and less about preventing exploitation.
The goal is not primarily to reduce trafficking but to reduce the card companies’ legal exposure relating to trafficking. Its not about being prudish; Visa/MC don’t care about that as long as they are making money without unnecessary risk exposure.
No, the main goal is protect their bottom line against legal liability. Visa and MC have been proactive in anti-trafficking measures because they have been sued for facilitating online trafficking, because they are very deep pockets defendants that tend to have a nexus to sites involved in commercially distributing trafficking-derived content. So, if there's any whiff of information that they have regarding even the potential of trafficking, they are going to take action to minimize the potential for legal action accusing them of knowingly facilitating trafficking, which has already occurred in previous cases.
> Folks are unsure how much actual impact this kind of policy will have against the very real and terrible problem of sex exploitation and trafficking. Which leads people to wonder if the policy is more about being prude and less about preventing exploitation.
The goal is not primarily to reduce trafficking but to reduce the card companies’ legal exposure relating to trafficking. Its not about being prudish; Visa/MC don’t care about that as long as they are making money without unnecessary risk exposure.