Can Platform Payouts Survive the Mastercard Crunch

Loads of shit happening soon (15th Oct 2021), like asking viewers to report anything they think might be dodgy. Given the number of lunatic Christian groups who think all porn is sex trafficking, that a mess waiting to happen.

BUT TODAY I’m focusing on one thing.

The requirement that platforms review ALL content before it goes live, and this is generally agreed (though possibly not by the platforms, if they feel brave) SOMEONE ACTUALLY WATCHES IT, (and maybe, checks the paperwork).

The implication is that this adds an overhead of 1.5 to 2 times minimum wage for every hour uploaded. That implies a serious increase in staffing, and costs, even if offshored, and implies a number of possible outcomes :-

Everything stays the same, but a delay between upload and live.

The strongest platforms might be able to support this, in order to break their competition. But if they do, once the dust settles, they’ll want to increase their margins.

Everything stays the same, but creators have to pay for the review OR Payouts drop OR combination

Any platform that can’t absorb the costs will have to do one of these.

Platform folds

Weaker ones will go bye bye.

So, who is strong, and who is weak?

I have no more idea than anyone else.