Ukrainian Activists Bypass Russian Censorship Through Porn Ads

Ukrainian Activists Bypass Russian Censorship Through Porn Ads

MOSCOW — Ukrainian activists have reportedly started buying ad space on adult sites accessible in Russia to bypass Vladimir Putin’s ramped-up censorship efforts and provide accurate information about the invasion.

Adult sites are “perfect” conduits for disseminating information to counteract state propaganda, wrote Jemimah Steinfeld, editor-in-chief of “Index on Censorship,” in an opinion piece published by The Guardian over the weekend.

Steinfeld cited Ukrainian digital marketing expert Anastasiya Baydachenko as saying that adult sites offer “huge audiences” whose operators prioritize profits over politics and are therefore quite willing to take her money.

To counter Putin's aggressive policing of Russia’s internet, Steinfeld explained, Baydachenko came up with a simple plan: “Buy ad space across websites in Russia and Belarus and use them to link to independent news on the war in Ukraine. The adverts could be direct, or they could be oblique, even titillating, to conceal their true nature and evade the censors.”

Baydachenko first tried buying ads on Google, YouTube, Facebook and other high-traffic sites, but Russia’s “fake news” law undermined that effort — whereas the ads on adult sites, Baydachenko said, have reached hundreds of millions of internet users in Russia.

Last December, several months before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin increased pressure on open platforms through state regulators and the courts.

As XBIZ reported, Google was fined nearly $100 million for “systematic failure to remove banned content,” a term that encompasses any political and social messaging of which the Moscow government does not approve, along with almost all adult material online.

The December 2021 fine followed a series of reports by Russia's Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media. The Washington Post reported that it was the largest such penalty yet in Russia, calling such fines Moscow's attempts to “rein in Western tech giants.” 

Meta — the company formerly known as Facebook, which also owns Instagram — was fined approximately $27 million for the same supposed crime against mandatory moderation.

“The fine represents an escalation in Russia’s push to pressure foreign tech firms to comply with its increasingly strict rules on what it deems illegal content,” wrote the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

NYC Adult Stores Lose Challenge to Zoning Law, May Face Relocation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to allow enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Only Tax Deductions Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Adult industry accounting firm Only Tax Deductions has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Adult Empire Launches 'Conversations' Podcast Series

Adult Empire has launched a new official podcast series hosted by Nicole Chappelle and Charlie.

Sex Work CEO Launches 'Teams Plan' for AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Teams Plan for its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Show More