Passes Faces Lawsuit Over Child Sexual Abuse Material Allegations

News Summary

The platform Passes is facing serious allegations in a lawsuit that claims it distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving a minor. Creator Alice Rosenblum asserts that key figures, including CEO Lucy Guo, are implicated. The lawsuit uncovers troubling grooming allegations linked to a former talent manager as the platform defends its content moderation practices. Amid heightened scrutiny, Passes has banned underage users and removed their content, raising concerns about the safety of minor creators in a digital marketplace.

Passes Faces Lawsuit Over Allegations of Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

Passes, a platform that connects creators directly with their fans, is under serious scrutiny after being hit with a lawsuit alleging it distributed Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The lawsuit, brought forth by a creator named Alice Rosenblum, claims the platform produced and sold sexually explicit material that featured her as a minor.

The Accusations and Key Figures

The lawsuit doesn’t just target Passes but also names key individuals. Among them are Alec Celestin and Lani Ginoza, along with the company’s founder and CEO, Lucy Guo. Rosenblum makes bold claims that all defendants were aware of her age and the presence of explicit content involving her on their platform.

In a strong denial of the allegations, Passes asserts that Guo had no involvement in the specific content and states there’s “no record or recollection” of her ever interacting with Rosenblum. The company insists that it has strict content guidelines that prohibit nude photos and videos, setting it apart from competitors like OnlyFans.

Grooming Allegations Connected to a Talent Manager

What makes this lawsuit even more unsettling are the claims that Celestin, Rosenblum’s former talent manager, allegedly groomed her into creating explicit content when she was just seventeen. The lawsuit alleges that shortly before her 18th birthday, Celestin approached her with what he termed marketing ideas for an upcoming campaign.

Rosenblum claims that Guo personally intervened to override the platform’s safety measures that could have flagged her content as CSAM. However, Passes has countered that claim by pointing out that Celestin is a former social media contractor who may have overstated his association with the platform.

Previous Legal Issues and Content Moderation Practices

Celestin is no stranger to controversy, as he has been linked to prior legal matters involving conflicting accounts about his relationship with both Passes and another platform, Fanfix. Despite these challenges, Passes markets itself as a responsible platform working with big-name celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal and Kygo, and does not label itself a competitor to platforms like OnlyFans.

To protect users, Passes utilizes Microsoft PhotoDNA, a technology designed to automatically scan images against known CSAM databases. The platform claims that to date, this system has not flagged any instances of CSAM. However, the unfolding lawsuit reveals deeper concerns regarding how platforms like Passes ensure the safety of their younger creators.

Immediate Actions Taken by Passes

In light of the lawsuit, Passes has reacted swiftly by banning all underage users and removing their content from the platform. This decisive action raises questions about the company’s ongoing compliance with safety laws and its ability to protect its young creators.

The lawsuit indicates a pressing concern regarding how well platforms supervise and implement safety measures for minor creators. In the past, Passes allowed minors to join the platform with parental consent, a practice that has now come under fire.

A Broader Conversation on Platform Responsibility

As Rosenblum’s case unfolds, it showcases the urgent need for direct-to-fan platforms to take a closer look at their roles in safeguarding young creators. The situation highlights the critical responsibilities faced by platform owners when it comes to the safety and well-being of their users.

With the potential repercussions of this lawsuit not just limited to Passes, but possibly extending to the industry as a whole, it prompts a much-needed dialogue about how creators are protected in digital spaces. Advocacy groups have already voiced their concerns, emphasizing the need for stronger oversight and to educate both creators and their managers about the risks involved.

As this case develops, all eyes will be on both the legal proceedings and the responses from platforms like Passes to ensure that such allegations are taken seriously and addressed with the utmost urgency.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• TechCrunch: Passes Faces Lawsuit Over Allegations of Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
• Forbes: How Underage Creators Became a Threat to Lucy Guo’s OnlyFans Rival
• Tech Times: Weekly Wrap on CSAM Lawsuit
• 9to5Mac: CSAM Victims Sue Apple
• Wikipedia: Child Sexual Abuse Material