Estonian sex trade has moved online, journalist says
Wednesday 12th August 2026 on 15:15 in
Estonia
Estonia’s sex services market has moved from brothels to the internet, where hundreds of advertisements generate substantial profits for platform owners, journalist Olesja Lagasina said on ERR’s Vikerhommik programme.
Lagasina, who wrote about the subject for Äripäev, said the investigation began after a source described an apartment allegedly being used as a brothel. After the occupants moved out, the journalists contacted a woman who had posted an advertisement on an online portal.
They found that the portals carried a large number of similar advertisements, including many from foreign nationals who may not have residence or work permits, Lagasina said.
She said it was difficult to prove that pimping was taking place when women said they had no pimp and were working voluntarily. “Women claim that they operate independently, and that is precisely the problem, because this is not punishable. Pimping would be punishable,” she said.
Lagasina said the platforms listed many agencies, which she considered intermediaries. While brokering prostitution is a criminal offence, police have said the agencies may instead be advertising firms. Police have also argued that shutting down the platforms could worsen the problem by simply moving the activity elsewhere, she said.
She spoke with an operator of one platform. The largest platform operates in the Czech Republic, while a smaller one is run by another owner in Latvia. The business is international and highly profitable, Lagasina said, estimating that the larger platform earns about seven million a year while employing only a few people.
Advertisers pay to place listings. One hour costs 300, depending on what is offered, she said.
Lagasina also interviewed a service provider from Ukraine. The woman said the war had left her without work, her mother was ill and needed treatment, and she had no other way to earn money. Lagasina described her as socially vulnerable and said some women travel to another country so that people they know will not find out what they do.