AMS:
The Red Light District’s Makeover:
Sex Workers vs. Instagrammers

The neon glow of Amsterdam’s Red Light District hides a new war—one fought with camera phones. Since the city’s 2023 ban on guided tours of the area, an unexpected problem emerged: influencers treating brothel windows like Disneyland backdrops, snapping selfies with unsuspecting sex workers in the frame.

The “No Phones” Rebellion

In May 2024, workers launched #RespectOurPrivacy, a campaign shaming visitors who film without consent. Their tactics?

• Squirt guns to deter cameras (legal under Dutch “defense of privacy” laws)
• Blackout curtains triggered by motion-sensing cameras
• A viral TikTok trend where workers turn their backs when phones appear

“I’m not a carnival attraction,” says Lola, a window worker for 11 years. “Would you take a selfie with your dentist?”

The Data Behind the Drama

City hall reports:
📉 32% drop in public urination fines (thanks to fewer drunk crowds)
📈 48% spike in “illegal photography” complaints
💻 87% of offending posts originate from 3 influencer hubs (Brazil, USA, UK)

The New Rules

As of September, the district enforces:

• €190 fines for unauthorized photos/videos
• Blue line markers showing “no filming zones”
• Plainclothes enforcers deleting photos on the spot

The Unlikely Alliance

Sex workers and conservative lawmakers—once foes—now agree on one thing: the district isn’t content. “Even the church supports us now,” laughs Madame Martine, owner of the historic Casa Rosso theater. “Hell froze over.”