"Censored" Adult Ads Still Pop Up on Craigslist

(CBS)  Craigslist may be the best known classifieds site on the World Wide Web but lately it's had a real problem with the world's oldest profession. Over the weekend it censored itself in an effort to eliminate prostitution from the site but the racy ads are already showing up on other parts of Craigslist.

Despite the bright blue links advertising everything from appliances to toys on the site, a black bar reading "Censored" is now attracting the most attention. It's Craigslist's eight-letter response to a letter signed by attorneys general in 17 states.

They called for the company to remove the "adult services" section of the site which includes thinly veiled ads for sex, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane.

"Prostitution is not a victimless crime," says Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal. "Human trafficking results in tragedies to children and others, and Craigslist voluntarily, fortunately, is doing the right thing."

When asked why Craigslist would use the word "censored" on its website, Peter M. Zollman, an analyst at the Advanced Interactive Media Group says, "Craigslist probably used the word "censored" because they're trying to make a political statement."

After all, the law sides with Craigslist, says First Amendment lawyer Doug Mirell. "The Communications Decency Act says that essentially those who are simply providing a bulletin board by which others can post their content is not going to be liable for the content itself," he says. That content is big business for Craigslist, by some estimates potentially $45 million dollars this year.

Craigslist is no stranger to controversy. The so-called "Craigslist killer" allegedly found his victims by trolling through sex ads on the site.

"As Craigslist shut down adult services, the ads migrate elsewhere," says Zollman.

And a quick search reveals that some ads are still on the site. In the beauty section there's an offer for "sensual massage."

Craigslist did not reply to a request for an interview but on a company blog the chief executive wrote that Craigslist is "committed to…aggressively combating…violent crime." The question remains: Does removing the link really combat anything at all?

[JAZZ12345678910111213]

I FEEL THAT IT IS, NOT CL FAULT 4 ANY OF THOUSE YOUNG GIRL.IF MOTHERS WOULD PAY MORE ATTENTION 2 THEIR CHILD THAT INNOCENT VICTIM OF SOCIETY WOULD NOT FIND THEMSELVES IN SUCH A OUTCOME. BASICALLY YOU HAVE TOOK THEM FROM THE COMFORT OF A ROOM AND BACK 2 THE STREETS. KNOW ANY PARENT MISSING A CHILDREN Will NOT Be ABLE 2 TRACK THEM DOWN. 1ST THE STREETS KNOW THE INTERNET. THESE SO CALLED PIMPS WILL PUT MORE OF THESE DUMB GIRLS IN THE HOSPITAL. SOCIETY SUCKS, BET LOOK FOR THEM IN ER. ALL BEAT UP.

[mahdeealoo]

Delete the category and fine anyone who places such ridiculous ads.

[alancontact]

There is a reason it's called the worlds oldest profession. It's never going away as long as people have needs. There are many men who can't get a normal girl to give them a second look... places like craigslist gives them an opportunity to have their needs met. As long as no one gets exploited, I don't see a problem with it. If society were to pull this profession of the seedy dark alleys, then we would have fewer victims and better health control.

[wheresmycountry]

War is our moral responsibility, but sex is so very, very bad.

[URunderarrest]

No one has proven that human trafficking takes place because of craigslist ads. I doubt it occurs in the U.S. nearly as frequently as it is claimed to. If adults want to engage in sex for money it is their option to do so. There are too many self righteous people in this country claiming to be doing good for the rest of us. I believe I can think for myself and live with the consequences where it is applicable.

[mecanik-2009]

Oh please, Human trafficking is a major problem everywhere. The mental conditioning that takes place in a girls mind after shes been in "the business" is such thats its almost impossible for her to return to normal life without help. They take on a sex slave mentality and think they can't do anything else for a living. They need professional help.

[Feinstor]

Prostitution is mostly a victimless crime. Certainly moreso than the financial industry is, for example. The attorneys general should focus on finding the victims on craigslist rather than shutting down the easy way to spot them.

[newsterI]

The question remains: Does removing the link really combat anything at all? "

Nope, cause people will still sell the services and people will still buy it, they'll just word their ads a little differently.

[MissCooperS]

Here's the thing about these ads, and any ads on Craigslist: Anyone can post an ad claiming to be someone else. I had someone post an ad under the "Casual Encounters" section of Craigslist claiming to be me. I had never even been on Craigslist, then one morning I got a phone call on my business cell phone wanting to meet me. I told them they had the wrong number. A few minutes later I got another call. Then another. I finally asked the third caller where they got my phone number and they told me. I asked exactly where on Craigslist this ad was posted and found it. It was humiliating. Craigslist took down the ad after I contacted them, but would not give me the information as to who posted the ad. I had to get an attorney, subpoena, etc. to get the information. There was not much I could do about the person that posted the ad, but it was a painful ordeal. Until Craigslist requires some sort of proof that you really are the person posting the ad, it needs to be taken down!

[URunderarrest]

You clearly made someone angry and you probably know who it was. If it wasn't craigslist it would have been something else. You can't blame craiglist for your personal life.

[amerilatino]

It's not Craiglist who was the villain. Anybody who knows your information could, for whatever reason YOU might possibly concieve, write- "For a good time, call MissCooper S at (insert number), $50.00 for 30 minutes, discounts for gangbangers." on men's bathroom stalls all over town. Again, only YOU would know who would do something like that and why...