Mastercard has new rules that go into effect on October 15, 2021. These are rules specific to adult content merchants.
I want to talk to you today about what these mean because when it comes to choosing a new platform, these rules are important.
On your end, as a creator it means one simple thing … when you shoot content, make the sure person is over 18, collect the person’s ID, and get model releases for every scene you shoot.
Now for the platform you chose to distribute it, this is where it gets a little complicated.
As of October 15, 2021, merchants that engage in the provision of adult content and services will be required to:
• Enter into written agreements with third-party users that upload or generate content for the merchant’s website, which include provisions relating to written consent of persons depicted, and identity and age verification of persons depicted;
As we said before you must have signed the model release and 2257 documents as well as the ID of every person in the video.
Here is what you need for each and every shoot.
- A model release form
- A performer consent checklist
- 2257 documents
- A copy of the model’s ID (take a picture of their ID, front and back, and then take a picture of them holding their ID)
If you are not the photographer you also want a photographer release form. If you are filming at a location that you don’t own, then you also need a location release form.
• Only permit content uploads from verified content providers;
This is a new but important step in the right direction. If you are going to upload content you own to a platform, you must prove who you are. It doesn’t matter if you are in the videos or not. What you are doing is proving this is your account and you are in fact over 18 years of age. This is when when you create an OnlyFans account or even an account on one of those cam sites, they make you go through the whole ID verification process, proving you are who you say you are.
In the past, you only had to provide the IDs of those in the videos. That’s not the case anymore. From now on you must also verify the identity of the person who owns the account on a given platform.
• Have a process for verifying the age and identity of third-party users that upload or generate content;
See the above answer.
• Review all uploaded content prior to publication to ensure it is not illegal or otherwise in violation of the
Now, this is where things get a little complicated, especially as the process varies per platform.
What this is saying is, not only is the person who uploads the content legally responsible for it, but also the platform itself. This is not a law, this is a billing requirement. Understand there are differences.
What Mastercard says is, we don’t care what the law is. We are saying that if you want to continue accepting Mastercard as a means of payment on your platform, to bill your customers, then you must accept our rules.
So what exactly does this last rule mean? It is after all the big one. It’s the one causing problems with OnlyFans.
When you upload a scene at OnlyFans they don’t automatically ask for your documents. They may later. They do random spot checks. But what Mastercard wants is a REQUIRED document check for each and every upload.
It’s not an overly complicated process. Let me show you what I mean. Have you ever tried to upload a video clip at FanCentro?
See that little upload document at the bottom? It’s just that simple.
If your platform doesn’t have features like that, then that means they aren’t capable of being compliant with Mastercard’s new regulations and that means you need to move on and find a new platform.
If they can’t process payments from fans, they can’t afford to pay you. Then all of your hard work is for nothing.
Keep that in mind when trying to figure out which new platform is best for you.
Here are some of the other new Mastercard rules …
• Be able to fully control its platform used for live streaming, including real-time monitoring and content
removal;
• Allow a person depicted in content can appeal for its removal;
• Ensure merchant marketing and search terms do not give the impression that its content contains child
exploitation materials or depiction of non-consensual activities;
• With respect to content that is potentially illegal or otherwise in violation of the Mastercard standards:
– not use such content to draw users to the website;
– have a complaint process for the reporting, review, and if warranted, removal of such content; and
– provide monthly reports to the acquirer of such flagged content, along with any complaints received and
relevant actions are taken in response; and
• Have effective policies in place that prohibit the merchant’s website from being used to promote or
facilitate human trafficking, sex trafficking, or physical abuse.
Upon request, the acquirer must be able to provide Mastercard with temporary account credentials allowing
access to the merchant website for viewing of content behind a paywall or where access is otherwise restricted
to website members.
