Méré 🍉 ☀️

A class action lawsuit for the distribution of child pornography and exploitation of minors was filed against Passes -- a company that I strongly and publicly opposed against acquiring Fanhouse. It genuinely breaks my heart that a platform I had built to empower creators is now part of one accused of exploiting children and promoting something horrifying beyond words. I did everything in my power to oppose the acquisition. When I was outvoted by my cofounders, I resigned from Fanhouse and rejected all offers of pay/equity to make sure I had no part in the acquisition, as I personally believed Passes to be a morally corrupt company. Months ago, my friends and I called attention to what we believed was a lack of age verification on the Passes site. We found what looked like fairly large accounts of underaged girls selling and promoting sexual content on Passes (screenshots attached). Creators I know have said that they were able to join Passes without any ID verification -- it's difficult to believe this was a simple oversight rather than intentional design. I've read through the 33 page lawsuit, which alleges the victim was groomed and coerced into child pornography at the hands of the Passes founder and employees, knowing she was a minor. I have always been supportive of where creators want to make content and always want the best for creators -- but if you're on Passes, I strongly encourage you to reconsider what platform you are enabling and giving your money to. Creator safety and child safety are not things we should be willing to compromise on. These are serious allegations, and I hope there will be justice for anyone who has been harmed. I stand with the victims and am heartbroken for them.