MyFreeCams
 | |
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 |
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.
History
[edit]MFC 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
[edit]MFC 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
[edit]The 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
[edit]References
[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