Craigslist caves in.

[-..__...]

I wish they had shown a little more spine and told their critics to "go take a flying fuck", but, for whatever reason, they're surrendering to the powers that be.

Hopefully it's only a temporary decision while they figure out their next move.

Craigslist Abandons Adult Services... for Good?


Craigslist was expected to have earned an estimated $36 million from advertising associated with its Adult Services section in 2010—at least, that was the case when we first reported the projections from Advanced Interactive Media in late April of this year.

You can now expect that number to drop significantly, as Craigslist has removed its Adult Services section for U.S. visitors. The move surely comes as a relief to the various entities that have been petitioning for Craigslist to shut down the section—including human rights groups and more than 17 attorneys general from states across the nation.

There's no indication that Craigslist has removed its Adult Services section for good, however. Although links to the site are now eliminated when accessing the main Craigslist page from an IP addressed based in the United States, one can still pull up the page from other countries. There's been no comment from any Craigslist spokespeople whatsoever—officially or otherwise—related to the matter.

"The increasingly sharp public criticism of craigslist's Adult Services section reflects a growing recognition that ads for prostitution -- including ads trafficking children -- are rampant on it," read a letter signed by the 17 attorneys general.

"In our view, the company should take immediate action to end the misery for the women and children who may be exploited and victimized by these ads. Because craigslist cannot, or will not, adequately screen these ads, it should stop accepting them altogether and shut down the Adult Services section."

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[Lucian]

1. I don't understand why they caved.

The services were between CONSENTING adults. What's wrong with that?

I hope Craigslist fights this.

[Ian David]

2. It's probably too late, but here's a thought:

If CraigsList was serious about actually trying to screen-out prostitution, it could have enlisted a non-profit organization to volunteer to do the screening for them.

[-..__...]

4. Like the local police/vice squad?

Seriously... I'm a bit puzzled why law enforcement would be opposed to Craigslist "Adult Services" section... it's not like the problem would just go away.

What better and easier way is there be alerted to 'problem areas', gather info and possibly set up a sting operation all at the convenience of a keyboard, monitor and office chair?

[Ian David]

8. True. I can think of no easier way to get caught than to post on CraigsList. n/t

[KingFlorez]

3. The fact that they couldn't weed out the illegal things is the problem

That section could easily be used for human trafficking without proper management. Craigslist depends solely on users to report suspicious activity, so it's easy for things to slip by.

[-..__...]

6. See my above post.

The "For Sale" section can easily be used for selling stolen goods.

If indeed Craigslist was being abused to facilitate illegal activities, law enforcement would be in a better position to be alerted to it... one or two people at a computer flagging questionable activity for investigation, as opposed to a special unit spending months and chasing down leads that go nowhere.

[OZark Dem]

5. Another freedom gone

No longer able to read the ads of the local escorts.

Before it went to adult, they even posted the escort rates.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[msongs]

9. 10 year olds can still peruse prostitute listing on craigslist here in so cal so you can relax right

[-..__...]

11. 10 year olds can peruse 4Chan - /b/...

(and other sites as well), and experience things that would traumatize/scar for life Charles Manson.

What makes Craigslist any different because it's accessible by children?

[Hugabear]

12. Good thing all those adult websites have those "I agree that I am over 18" entry pages

Yep, I'm sure that little Johnny would never click on that.

[provis99]

10. well, that should make it harder to find the human traffickers now.

Maybe instead of forcing craigslist to remove this stuff, the lazy cops should look at it as a golden opportunity to catch traffickers who are deliberately announcing themselves to the public?

[Rex]

13. Wow, how stupid and behind the times...porn is never leaving the WWW.

Online dating etc are never leaving either and there are a zillion online IM/chat irc whatever you want to call thems with advertisment out the ass. I think someone up high thought Craigslist was big enough to make an example out of. Not that it will make one wit of difference.