France’s Senate has voted to create a brand-new criminal offence aimed squarely at the managers and agencies behind OnlyFans and MYM creators — not the creators themselves. If it becomes law, it would be one of the most direct legal challenges yet to the agency model that a large share of European creators rely on.
What the bill actually does
On 11 February 2026, the French Senate approved legislation creating an offence of “online sexual exploitation,” introduced by conservative Senator Marie Mercier. The law targets so-called managers or agents who recruit, supervise, and profit from adult content creators’ work on platforms like OnlyFans and MYM. Supporters of the bill have described the practice as “pimping 2.0” — arguing that agencies which take a cut of a creator’s earnings while directing their content and schedule are functionally operating as intermediaries in a way French law never anticipated.
Under existing French law, online sexual services fall outside the legal definition of prostitution, which requires physical contact — a gap this new offence is specifically designed to close. If passed in its current form, offenders would face up to seven years in prison and a €150,000 fine, rising further where minors are involved.
Why agents, and why now
According to a French Senate report cited alongside the bill, roughly 30% of French content creators on platforms like OnlyFans and MYM are represented by an agent or agency. That’s a meaningful share of the creator base, and it’s exactly the population lawmakers are trying to reach — the logic being that agencies with financial control over a creator’s output are better legal targets than individual creators exercising their own agency over their content.
Where the bill actually stands
It’s important to be precise here: this is not yet law. The Senate vote sends the proposal to the National Assembly for further examination, and French legislation of this kind can be amended substantially — or stall entirely — during that process. Creators and agencies operating in or serving French clients should treat this as a serious signal of regulatory direction rather than a finalised rule to comply with today.
Why this matters even if you’re not in France
The French proposal lands in a wider European conversation about how much control management agencies should be allowed to exert over creators’ accounts, content, and earnings — a conversation that’s been playing out in the UK too. Our earlier coverage of a BBC investigation found UK creators describing coercive practices by some management agencies, and regulatory attention on agency practices is clearly building on both sides of the Channel.
If you currently work with, or are considering signing with, a management agency — regardless of jurisdiction — it’s worth revisiting the basics:
- Get commission structures, contract length, and exit terms in writing before signing anything.
- Check who legally owns your account credentials and content library, not just who manages posting.
- Understand exactly what the agency is contractually allowed to do on your behalf, including using chat teams (“chatters”) to message subscribers as you.
- Be wary of any agency that discourages you from understanding your own payout structure or contract terms.
- Keep independent access to your own banking, tax records, and platform account recovery options at all times.
We’ve covered the specific red flags to watch for in more depth in our guide to OnlyFans management agency red flags.
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Legislation described here is proposed or partially enacted and may change materially before (or instead of) becoming law. If you have concerns about a management contract or agency relationship, consult a qualified lawyer familiar with your jurisdiction.
