MyFreeCams (MFC) is an American website providing live webcam performances by models, typically featuring nudity and sexual activity often ranging from striptease and erotic talk to masturbation with sex toys.
 | |
Screenshot | |
Type of site | Webcam, live streaming |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | Leonid Radvinsky |
| Parent | Mfcxy, Inc.[1] |
| URL | www |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional |
| Launched | August 28, 2004[2] |
| Current status | active |
History
editMFC was launched in 2004,[2][3][4] and by 2010 was described by industry group XBIZ as "one of the world's largest adult webcam communities."[5] It was reported as having more than 100,000 models and more than five million members.[5] CNBC reported the opinion of an adult industry talent agent that models on the site can make "between $75,000 and $100,000 per month",[6] leading some established porn stars into becoming webcam models.[6] In 2014, it was reported to be "the 344th most visited site on the internet".[4] Like many similar websites, MyFreeCams features a large number of Romanian, Colombian, Czech, Filipina, Ukrainian and Russian performers, though "on the performer side there are more Americans on MyFreeCams" than on other sites.[7]
By 2018, MyFreeCams had acquired 75% ownership of Felix International Limited, the parent company of OnlyFans, a subscription service.[8]
MyFreeCams occasionally facilitates special events for models. For example, in January 2019 the company arranged a private concert for models only, featuring a performance by rapper Cardi B.[9]
Google Trends shows a steady decline in people searching for MyFreeCams over the past five years.[10]
In 2018, the Government of India blocked MyFreeCams, among other porn websites, after a Uttarakhand High Court court order demanding the same in a rape case where the perpetrators said they were motivated to do so after watching online pornography.[11]
Concept
editMFC is used mostly by amateur webcam models, or camgirls, who earn money for their performances on the site.[12][13] Customers of the site can purchase virtual tokens, which can be used to tip performers or watch private shows.[12][14][15] Customers can use text-based live chat to talk to each other or in each performer's channel. The performers use a webcam and microphone to broadcast live video and audio to their channel. Both members and performers can send private messages and mail to each other.[12][16]
The website does impose some restrictions on the activities performed by models on cam. For example, in February 2015 a webcam model who had been charged with a misdemeanor for broadcasting an MFC show from a public library at the Oregon State University, was "banned from MyFreeCams for violating their guidelines and filming in a public place."[17] Although no police charges were laid, the site also banned a model who engaged in similar activity at branches of the Windsor, Ontario Public Library over a three-month period.[18]
Industry recognition
editThe XBIZ Award for Live Cam Site of the Year was awarded to MFC in 2011, 2012, and 2013.[19] It was additionally named one of the top 50 Industry Newsmakers of 2011 by XBIZ.[20] In 2014, MyFreeCams.com won an AVN award for Best Live Chat Website.[21]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Mfcxy, Inc. Company Profile". D&B. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ a b @MyFreeCams (August 28, 2019). "Happy 15th Birthday to MyFreeCams..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "MyFreeCams: At the Top After 6 Years". XBIZ. February 16, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ a b Miami Is the New Epicenter of "Camming"- Interactive Online Porn Archived March 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Miami New Times, by Allie Conti, Thursday, September 11, 2014
- ^ a b MyFreeCams.com Nominated for 3 XBIZ Awards Archived March 28, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, By David Maxwell, Friday, December 31, 2010.
- ^ a b CamGirls: The New Porn Superstars, Thursday, January 17, 2013, 10:44 AM ET By: Chris Morris Special to CNBC.com.
- ^ Porn's new capitals: Romania and Colombia?, By Chris Morris, CNBC, Thursday, January 22, 2015.
- ^ "FENIX INTERNATIONAL LIMITED - Filing history (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ C. Vernon Coleman II (January 26, 2019). "Cardi B Performs Private Show For Cam Girls Before 2019 Avn Awards". XXL Magazine.
- ^ "Google Trends". Google Trends. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Here is the full list of 827 porn websites blocked by DoT". The Indian Express. October 29, 2018.
- ^ a b c Intimacy on the Web, With a Crowd, Matt Richtel, The New York Times, September 21, 2013.
- ^ "Becoming a Webcam Model at MyFreeCams". myfreecams.com. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ "Instructions and Features". myfreecams.com. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ Berson, Jessica (February 1, 2016). The Naked Result: How Exotic Dance Became Big Business. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0199846207.
- ^ "Basic Tour". myfreecams.com. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ Kendra Sunderland: Oregon State Cam Girl Speaks Out About Library Video, February 6, 2015.
- ^ "Live sex shows streamed from Windsor libraries". CBC News. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
- ^ Web-Tech Winners Power 2013 XBIZ Awards Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, By Stephen Yagielowicz, XBIZ.com, Sat, January 12, 2013 09:00am PST, "The 2013 XBIZ Award for Live Cam Site of the Year went to MyFreeCams.com."
- ^ XBIZ World Magazine Names Top 50 Industry Newsmakers of 2011 Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, By Bob Johnson, Friday, December 16, 2011.
- ^ 31st AVN Awards