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
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
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]
