Craigslist has folded under mounting pressure from law enforcement officials over its policy of allowing users to post ads for prostitution services under its “erotic services” category.
While existing advertisements will remain up for seven days, no new submissions are being accepted into that category. Instead, the website has set-up a new “Adult services” category where postings will be reviewed individually.
Existing ads in the erotic services category will remain for seven days, but already new ads are not being accepted in that category. People trying to place an ad in the adult category are reminded: “Ads suggesting or implying an exchange of sexual favors for money are strictly prohibited” and “Ads including pornographic images, or images suggestive of an offer of sexual favors are strictly prohibited.”
One little detail: Postings in the new “adult services” category will actually cost the poster $10, with re-postings of approved ads running at $5. So the change makes the site a nice chunk of change, too.
To be honest, I’m not sure what I think about this. I’m torn between the moral ramifications of prostition and the libertarian in me that wants government to stay out of this entirely. Of course, that’s more about being torn over the issue of prostitution in general rather than just in the case of Craigslist. But this a good example.
by Dalton McCallum on Wed, May 13, 2009