Craigslist to crack down on prostitution ads

[TampaYankee]

Enforcement is part of an agreement with attorneys general in 40 states

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27575624/

by Pat Eaton-Robb

updated 3:06 p.m. ET, Thurs., Nov. 6, 2008

HARTFORD, Conn. - Under the watchful eye of law enforcement in 40 states, Craigslist pledged Thursday to crack down on ads for prostitution on its Web sites.

As part of Craigslist's agreement with attorneys general around the country, anyone who posts an "erotic services" ad will be required to provide a working phone number and pay a fee with a valid credit card. The Web site will provide that information to law enforcement if subpoenaed.

Jim Buckmaster, Craigslist's chief executive, said the deal will allow legitimate escort services to continue advertising, while providing a strong disincentive to companies that are conducting illegal business.

"We don't view it as a penalty, we view it as raising the accountability," he said. "A legitimate business should have no problem with that. They should have no problem providing a phone number or credit card credentials."

Craigslist filed lawsuits this week against 14 software and Internet companies that help people who post erotic service ads to circumvent the Web site's defenses against inappropriate content and illegal activity.

Craigslist, which posts 30 million ads every month for everything from apartment rentals to jobs in hundreds of cities, will also begin using new search technology in an effort to help authorities find missing children and victims of human trafficking.

Police across the country have been arresting people for using Web sites like Craigslist to advertise the sexual services of women and children.

"The dark side of the Internet must be stopped from eclipsing its immense potential for good," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who brokered the agreement. He added: "I am fully convinced that Craigslist wants to stop this activity as much as we do."

Buckmaster said the agreement does not cover Craigslist's personal ads, where prostitutes have been found advertising for "dates." But he said the San Francisco-based company has been working with authorities on that issue and on cutting down on the sale of stolen merchandise on its sites.

[Guest Viki]

This is absolute bullshit. Law enforcement wasting their time catching harmless escorts, while real criminals get to do more destructive activities. I am furious with craigslist right now about this. Some of us are just trying to put food on our tables in this rough economy. FUCK CRAIGSLIST!

What really gets me is that people aren't talking about this subject enough.

[caeron]

This is absolute bullshit. Law enforcement wasting their time catching harmless escorts, while real criminals get to do more destructive activities. I am furious with craigslist right now about this. Some of us are just trying to put food on our tables in this rough economy. FUCK CRAIGSLIST!

What really gets me is that people aren't talking about this subject enough.

You really think Craigslist can argue with 40 attorney generals? Are you nuts? They could obliterate the company. They have no choice.

Let's hope the blue tide helps get those folks focused on things that matter, but I'm not terribly hopeful.

[TampaYankee]

You really think Craigslist can argue with 40 attorney generals? Are you nuts? They could obliterate the company. They have no choice.

Yes, I think they can. Not alone of course. This seems a clear Free Speech issue. With legal support from the Free Speach Coalition and the ACLU I'm confidant there is little doubt they would prevail. It might take years and a trip to the Supreme Court. It seems they don't have the stomach for that burden. All of that presumes some legal action taken against then of which I am unaware at this point.

The other potential concern is about their reputation being sulllied. I dont understand that as a concern as CL has always been an anti establishment operation from the get-go. A free, out-of the mainstream avenue for business and social contacts. I dont see that it relies on mainstream advertising and charitable support these days either.

FWIW

[TotallyOz]

I wonder how, if at all, this will affect Craig's List business. I know that was the only section I went there to view.

[xenophile]

I wonder how, if at all, this will affect Craig's List business. I know that was the only section I went there to view.

I browse this section daily (in Los Angeles) and I was really apprehensive, but the $5/ad thing has helped the signal/noise ratio greatly, getting rid (at least temporarily) of a lot of the known flakes, con artists and fake pic guys. Most of the high-quality service providers seem to be sticking around though. I'm cautiously hopeful that this could wind up being a good thing for serious clients.

Of course, it'd also be great if the guys would spread out a little and place ads+profiles in more of the alternative sites (like MER!). Maybe this move will result in more free classified type sites moving in to fill the gap.

-=>X<=-

[AdamSmith]

It might take years and a trip to the Supreme Court. It seems they don't have the stomach for that burden. All of that presumes some legal action taken against then of which I am unaware at this point.

On the other hand, one can imagine that craiglist's suit against its minority owner eBay may be consuming whatever energies it feels like throwing into the legal arena at present. (Assuming this is still ongoing; I've seen no news that it has yet been resolved.) And with craigslist revenues estimated at $80 million or so (a pittance of what it could have if it decided to be just a tad more venal), the eBay thing could well be soaking up some considerable chunk of what management sees as available litigation monies.

[Guest BewareofNick]

I browse this section daily (in Los Angeles) and I was really apprehensive, but the $5/ad thing has helped the signal/noise ratio greatly, getting rid (at least temporarily) of a lot of the known flakes, con artists and fake pic guys. Most of the high-quality service providers seem to be sticking around though. I'm cautiously hopeful that this could wind up being a good thing for serious clients.

Of course, it'd also be great if the guys would spread out a little and place ads+profiles in more of the alternative sites (like MER!). Maybe this move will result in more free classified type sites moving in to fill the gap.

-=>X<=-

I have to agree with xenophile. The Atlanta section is now free of 99% of the flakes with fake pictures. It's kind of refreshing.