Craigslist Cracks Down On Prostitution Ads

(AP)  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.

Craigslist has also agreed to sue 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 ads for everything from apartment rentals to jobs in dozens 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," Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said in a statement Thursday.

The agreement was joined by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

"The criminals engaged in the sexual trafficking of children no longer parade them on the streets of America's cities," said NCMEC President and Chief Executive Ernie Allen. "Today, they market them via the Internet."

States that signed the agreement include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam also joined.

[Netterz]

Haaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! We saw this on the news a few months ago, they popped a bunch of hookers all over the State that were advertising themselves on Craigs list. Made the 6PM news.... and we arent even on the list of states that signed!!!

[giddy2000]

"""The dark side of the Internet must be stopped from eclipsing its immense potential for good," "

What a joke!. The internet is 85% porn and prostitution. Take that away and there won''''t be anything left. These escorts will just start posting for free in the personal sections. Too bad america is so afraid of ***. "

Well this is interesting. I actually go to a lot of internet signs and learn a lot of new things..and I never go to these sites. Must be a personal "what type of human being do I want to be" sort of thing.

[giddy2000]

It is absolutely disgusting that so many people do not realize that freedoms come responsibility.

We are surrounded by idiots who do not want a moral compass nor respect to other parts to our constitution, now the meaning and over all spirit of our constitution. They want to say, do and feel anything they want and feel good about doing so.

Our nation WAS NEVER founded on the idea that anyone can be as much as a loser for society as possible and that would be ok.

Craigslist DOES NOT OWE YOU ANYTHING. Again, I REPEAT, CRAIGSLIST DOES NOT OWE YOU ANYTHING.

They are a BUSINESS and have the AMERICAN RIGHT to run that business the way they deem fit.

All you whiners who are ticked off because you can''t sit at your desk looking for filth are a pathetic example of what an American should be. GROW UP!

[shanev137]

One more thing that will make Republicans even madder.

[culturechang]

Rillifane, your after my own heart. You know your facts. The human trafficking sensationalists realized the same lie worked in 1900 equating prostitution with slavery....so they did it again with a new name "human trafficking". Then throw a couple of Hollywood bozos and Lifetime TV in there to sensationalize support.

Bad part is that the facts dont support it either time. The couldnt find any "victims" then and cant find any now either.....or very few replayed over again with a bunch of false estimates.

I guess this state bureacrats were not paying attention on Tuesday night when a record number of voters turned to get thier freedoms back from the hypocritical morality regulating Republicans.

[rillifane]

Suggesting that every restriction on individual liberty is prompted by a desire to "protect children" is the just the current means of exploiting hysteria to justify oppressive laws.

Back at the beginning of the 20th century the excuse was "protecting white womanhood." For example, the testimony in support of the Harrison Act (which banned marijuana) said that its purpose was to keep "Negroes" from seducing "innocent white girls" by getting them high.

[govwatch-2009]

I think you ment to say inversely proportionate.

[redwhiteblu8]

This should not be a political issue or against the law - it''s a moral. Or in some cases a money issue. LOL!!!

[redwhiteblu8]

The government doesn''t want prostitiution legalized because it cuts into their profits, because they are the only ones that can f*&^ u and tax you at the same time.

[culturechang]

As I reflect on this more, I wonder why this has not been done before. You know why? Free speech. This begins to infringe upon free speech rights. And define "inappropriate content". Who decides that?

When will they require a valid credit and fee for us to blog online?

auroramoonjt, they are just talking about kids here. They are requiring this of everyone including adults. I agree kids should be rescued, but adults SHOULD have the right to make thier decisions. Women have that right with abortion....but not with prostitution. No sense in that.