Craigslist says it will drop 'erotic services' ads

[rdowns]

Link

Like this will make a difference.

HICAGO -
Online classifieds site Craigslist said Wednesday it will drop its controversial "erotic services" category in response to law enforcers who said the ads were a front for prostitution.

The old category will be replaced with one listing "adult services," and a fee will be charged, the company said. Employees will monitor every posting before it appears online — a precaution the site has been criticized for refusing to take in the past.

Pressure to remove the category increased this spring after a Boston medical student was charged with killing a masseuse who authorities say he met through Craigslist.

The move also comes two months after Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart filed a lawsuit alleging Craigslist not only allows the solicitation of prostitution but had created what he called the "largest source of prostitution in America."

Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster said the agreement preserves a place "for legal businesses to advertise" while incorporating feedback from attorneys general, free speech advocates, law enforcement, Internet law experts and millions of Americans who use the site.

 

[MacNut]

There goes all of Craigslist's visitors.

 

[leekohler]

As long as they keep "men seeking women", "women seeking men", "women seeking women" and "men seeking men", it won't make one damn bit of difference.

 

[JLatte]

So wait... They're changing the name of 'Erotic' to 'Adult' and then charging posters a fee to post? And they're just having someone monitor each post? Am I missing something?

 

[Abstract]

If they're charging now, isn't Craigslist essentially just the pimp?

 

[bc008]

If they're charging now, isn't Craigslist essentially just the pimp?

Win!

I really dont think this is going to help anything as long as they have the 4 basic categories as lee said..

 

[NinjaHERO]

Ah, censorship......we always let it win out in the end.

 

[rhsgolfer33]

Ah, censorship......we always let it win out in the end.

Is it really censorship if you're just stopping something that facilitates an illegal transaction? I mean, would it be any different if I posted that I was selling some cocaine, only $160 a gram, meet me on the corner of 4th and main? I'd expect that posting to be taken down. I mean, sure, maybe the erotic section postings weren't quite as blatant, but everyone knew what was going on.

I agree with Lee on this, its not going to make a difference because there other sections to post this stuff in.

 

[jecapaga]

Well there goes my weekend plans.