Journalist: Sex-ad platforms in Estonia could be worth millions
Online platforms that post advertisements for sexual services in Estonia can generate millions of euros in revenue for their operators. ERR News reports this, citing journalist Olesya Lagashina, who researched this sector for the publication Äripäev.
According to Lagashina, the largest of these platforms operates out of the Czech Republic. The journalist also contacted the owner of a smaller platform based in Latvia. She claims that the larger platform earns about 7 million euros a year, even though the company actually has only a few employees.
The main source of revenue is paid advertisements: the platform receives a cut of the fees charged for services. According to the journalist’s estimates, depending on the offer, the cost of such services can reach 300 euros or more per hour.
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Lagashina noted that in recent years, the provision of sexual services has largely shifted to the internet. Among those posting such ads may be socially vulnerable individuals, particularly those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia is an aggressor state. The journalist told the story of a woman from Ukraine who lost her job and was earning money to pay for her mother’s medical treatment.
During her investigation, Lagashina also spoke with residents of an apartment building in Estonia who suspected that one of the apartments might be used to provide sexual services. According to her, there are many such ads on specialized websites, and some service providers may not have residence or work permits.
Pimping is a criminal offense in Estonia, but it is difficult to prove, the journalist noted. Service providers may claim that they work independently and voluntarily. At the same time, many agencies are present on online platforms, which Lagashina considers to be intermediaries. She said that the police acknowledge that such entities may be advertising agencies, and that shutting down the platforms would only shift the problem elsewhere. The journalist added that a similar approach in Finland did not solve the problem.
