March 9, 2009
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Craigslist and NSA
An Illinois sheriff is suing Craigslist saying they are promoting prostitution.
They allow classified ads for “erotic services.” Craigslist contends they are not responsible for content posted by users. Here is the link: Link
Does Craigslist promote prostitution?
Comments (121)
Yes.
I don’t know. I will never know.
Yes. Definitely.
I don’t know about promoting but it certainly seems to make it easier.
Promotes? No. Facilitates? Yes.
no, they promote “erotic services”, duh.
@trebleclef402 - ooh well said! haha
Whorish?
@Carolina17 - @trebleclef402 - Seconded.
I guess, but I don’t personally think prostitution should be illegal, so whatever.
I think prostitution should be legal. It would protect the girls and the johns if the system were regulated.
@trebleclef402 - Agreed.
Then again, in my opinion, so does eharmony.com and all those other “relationship builder” sites (hell, one could also claim the same of sites like myspace and facebook) – but I’m a strange one so don’t mind me….
Well craigslist has a section for people looking for other people to feed their sexual urges, but it is voluntary and craigslist makes sure to tell the users that such services cannot be paid for. Some people posting in the casual encounters section maybe do something in exchange for something done unto them, but anything asking for sexual favors in casual encounters for cash is reported.
Now I’ve never explored craigslist more than to laugh at the casual encounters, but this “erotic services” section sounds a bit protitute-esque.
What what
In the butt
Yes! They give people a place to gather for sex.
@trebleclef402 - Nice distinction. You’re one smart cookie.
@Sadiana_SaDiablo - pretty much the Internet in general facilitates it.
@saintvi - You got that right.
errr…
I guess they kind of do, but instead of going after the site why don’t they use it to catch the people posting the ads. Wouldn’t that make more sense?
@LilSweetJew - So do clubs. Giving people a place to gather for sex only makes it easier for them to find willing partners, so that they don’t have to go pay a prostitute or become sexually frustrated and harass or abuse someone in the future.
Not that everyone would do that, but there are lots of people in this world, and you can bet your bottom dollar that some of them would become harmful to others due to sexual frustration.
Promotes? No.
This actually came up at lunch today. It’s a good arguement. But I don’t think they promote it.
Obviously the meaning of “promote” is not being understood by some people ^_^
They enable it, but they don’t endorse it.
It’s irrelevant. The government should keep its overly large nose out of other people’s business.
promote?
They allow it
They promote casual encounters, that doesn’t mean sex… right?
Well… they enable it and don’t do much to prevent it
craigslist supports the first amendment, and that is all they did in this case, promote free speech. it’s not like these women post hourly rates.
I don’t know if they promote it but they certainly don’t try to discourage it none.
anyone looking for those kinds of things would be nut’s with the spammers hackers and not to mention law enforcement watching good luck.
With a site like Craigslist which facilitates user-generated content, it’s just not possible to police the whole thing. If we’re talking classified ads in a newspaper, someone at the newspaper has to make a conscious decision to accept the ad and print it. With sites that have user-generated content, someone can place an ad without anybody running the site being aware of it.
Craigslist’s terms of use does prohibit ads for prostitution. You can’t get into the “erotic services” section without getting a message telling you this. If they make an honest effort to police themselves, I don’t think they can be legally held culpable.
They promote it by turning a blind eye.
Yep!
@trebleclef402 - lol true true
Somewhat.
Eh, not really. In my neck of the woods, if people want to pay for sex they head up the 3rd ave. If they want free sex they use craigslist. Prostitution generally entails an exchanging of money or good for sexual service…with CL (for the most part from what I’ve seen) it’s just sex…
craigslist is the win.
i dont believe they’re directly promoting it.
Any more than an internet auction site where a girl sells her virginity for the highest bidder?
Oh, and craigslist is a lot less fun than it used to be. One time I posted an ad for clean urine, as in, YOU need to pass a drug test for a job or probation or other reason, I have clean urine, guaranteed. It was removed in minutes. Also, I once posted an ad to “rehome my kidney”, with a small adoption fee, because in the rules, it clearly states you cannot sell animals, but can charge a small rehoming fee, and you cannot SELL body parts or other human appendages. It was flagged and removed in a few days. Its no fair I tell you! Stupid mothers trolling teh interwebs trying to make it safer for their damn kids who they can’t monitor on the computer.
People these days…geez.
Well, if it does endorse it, then all user posted content will have to be vigorously monitored, which would be…difficult, considering the bulk of social networking material. I think the courts will rule against it so as to not have some excessively broad definition of prostitution now written in law.
-David
Time out…I can get a hooker on craigslist…..wtf am I doing on xanga then?
Wonder why there are so much creepy man on Craigslist.
yea
They allow it, but most of the ads are fucking hilarious. Pun intended.
I agree with the statement that they enable it, but don’t endorse it. “Erotic Services” Isn;t just limited to Prostitution, but it can also include other, perfectly legal services. I.E.: Erotic Modeling and such.
yes. They need to screen what ppl write
What about adult friend finder and shit like that? Aren’t those sites acting as pimps? So what, people will keep doing what they do…
Missed connections?
I wouldn’t say they promote it, but they are definitely aware that their site is a medium for it, and they knowingly do nothing about it. Some can argue that that is just as bad.
that’s like saying guns don’t promote killing…. which also depends on your view.
It sounds like they help facilitate it, but it doesn’t look like they’re condoning any such behavior.
One word, yes. I have a friend who is a probation officer and one of his “clients” had herself listed on there as a “full favor masseuse”. Needless to say, he had to have a talk with her about the definition of prostitution.
yes
and they ought to take responsibilty for what thier users post in their ads
yes, and it is rampant in Sacramento. Craigslist is a haven for all crime.
I agree with josiebunny. They enable it.
I think the bigger question is do you think prostitution should be illegal or not?
I’m not sure if they promote it. Maybe just turn their backs & allow it is more like it. But their probably not sitting there with advertisements going “HEY – All you crazy cats. Come, sell your bodies on our site! We’ll find you LOTS of guys to sleep with”
but then again.
I have never been on CraigsList.
So. I could be wrong….
Sad
I must be niave. I sell stuff there all the time. Never thought of looking for sex there. I don’t think it is promoted there. If so I might have noticed it. I would have to agree with several other posts. The site enables it.
They don’t promote it, but they allow it, and they could do something about it.
I’m sure this has already been said by a commenter, but Craigslist is right when they say they are not responsible for what the users post. And even if there were a section labeled “erotic services”, it could mean an erotic massage (which is actually legal and many massage places sell such a package).
It’s a webby abused. I don’t think that that means they’re promoting it.
I have no idea, I’ve never looked at ads in that section. I really doubt there is anyone selling themselves in the homes for rent section!
I’m going to bring up another ethical/moral question very similar to this – why is prostitution bad?
In my opinion, it isn’t the act itself which is immoral – having sex isn’t immoral (depending on your beliefs) and getting paid for a service is common. But somehow society has decided that since prostitution is associated with gangs, pimps, drugs and murders, the act itself must be immoral.
What’s your opinion? What if it were done safely with monthly STD tests and precautions against exploitation?
no they do not “promote” it…
Ridiculous….talk about shooting the messenger.
i wouldn’t say “promote”, it’s more like “enable”.
Craigslist is the devil. lol! Rants and Raves is a fun way to get stuff off your chest on CL.
Craigslist is a platform. If you say that Craigslist promotes prostitution then you have to say that Windows, Mac OS, and Linux does too. Really – any operating system that provides a browser promotes prostitution by this logic.
@Losertastic - hahhahahahahaha, thanks for that, I haven’t said that yet today.
I definitely think that Craig’s list promotes prostitution and I don’t use it because of that and other things of that nature. No Craig’s list for me. =)
Nope. If you don’t like it, don’t look.
Yeah, so, since when was a web-site not resonsible for what is posted on it?
They have links to a category for erotic services. They could get rid of that link and they don’t. I’d consider that promotion.
Craigslist doesn’ t promote it, (although turns a blind eye to it: it’s TV I blame.
I wouldn’t know
I think they should be legally liable for their actions. They have a section where nothing but prostitutes advertise their services. They know it is happening and they continue to allow it. The reason you take Craigslist out of the picture is because it allows a place for the prostitutes to easily find johns and johns to find services from girls who would otherwise not roam the streets. It gives confused young girls an easy way to ruin their lives.
How’s Myspace any different?
Call me special, but where does NSA come into this?
Well, facilitates anyway…
no; technically prostitution is the sale of sexual acts for money.
the ads on craigslist offer “time” for “suggested minimum donations.”
freaking alarmists.
@LordofRogues - not to mention the NSA section of craigslist doesn’t even bring money into account.
Websites don’t have sex with people for money. Prostitutes do.
Of course.
Luckily, we don’t have tv sitcoms or movies full of sexy scenes…
No; they’re not responsible for what other people post. The title is suggestive but nothing that has to be taken to mean “prostitution.” Idk. It’s a bit dicey but ultimately they’ll probably win the lawsuit, and then switch what it says on their site
@Brian_Jeremiah - but that’s a difficult line to draw. is it the fault of the webhost provider that prostitutes choose to post there? See case of Lunney v. Prodigy Services for more information on how courts handle information through internet service providers; to sum it up, if they were to be responsible for everything their users posted they would be endlessly liable. The case was lost on the part of Lunney and prodigy services won.
What if, for some reason, a bunch of prostitutes came to xanga and started posting ads on here after someone posted a blog about prostitution (like this blog)? Would that warrant shutting xanga down or suing the site?
@trebleclef402 - Best answer. I agree. But…. accountable?
Stripping clubs are the same thing. Besides, if they’re willing to subject themselves to this form of occupation, let them. It would lead to a society with less sexual harassment cases and rapes.
They do. Or they allow it, rather. Like turning their head away and allowing it to happen. As a website, they have to set boundaries and limitations regarding what their users post. Would they allow the selling of children via their website? Probably, if “they aren’t responsible for what users post”. They are responsible. As owners of a website like this, they should have people reading and making sure nothing illegal is happening on their site. The should be monitoring the content that is posted and if it violates the terms of service or whatever then that user should be banned or something. That’s the responsibility that they take on when having a website.
I’ve never been on Craigslist myself, but what people post isn’t always the responsibility of the web site. Just because you talk about close friends performing oral sex on each other doesn’t mean xanga supports it.
@trebleclef402 well spoken. I agree.
yes.
WHY would you show that seal clubbing video? Please, respond to this question. It was terrible.
Yeah. Kind of a duh there.
I do beleive they do promote this prostitution. Myself, and a few friends have called LAs Vegas numbers plenty of times, and have sent girls to the Bellagio Hotel, only for them to figure out that it was a joke. I got a good laugh out of the whole ‘erotic services’ section.
don’t know.
Erotic Services covers a lot of ground… could be anything from Dirty Dancing to bumpin’ uglies but if you read the fine print when posting, they state that they are not responsible for the content of the ads and if you’re unhappy, flag an ad for removal. That’s their policy. Sheriff-boy needs to get over his bad self.
Serious dog walks up to you and pees on your leg. He now barks and whines at you. Your friend wants you to take him home. What do you do?
If Craigslist is not responsible for what they allow to be posted on their own website, then who is? We all have websites, here. Consequently, we all have a “delete” option for postings that violate the ground rules we’ve set for our own websites. It is our responsibility to manage our sites. It is no less that of Craigslist.
If they allow obscene solicitations on their site, then that can only translate into their tacit approval of them. Therefore, they share the responsibility for them and whatever consequences may be thus incurred. It’s like being the manager of an office complex and failing to act when you find out that a prostitution ring is operating on the premesis. You share in the guilt by your failure.
Yes!! “Have some fun for a gift of a hundred pretty pink balloons” Oh plz!
@trebleclef402 - Well put!
Hey, Theo. Come to my site. I have an important question that seems only YOU can answer.
I want to be a craigslist prostitute…
I really don’t care.
Clubbing baby seals is bad. You should club baby seal clubbers instead.
yes
Yeah, but if it wasn’t them, someone else would promote it.
Frankly, we have bigger things to worry about, like cracking down on human trafficking for prostitution.
They facilitate it. Some on here have compared Craigslist’s facilitation to a club, not quite the same, unless the club is holding a “swingers” night.
I don’t condone going after Craigslist for prostitution, enlist their help,ask them to perhaps stop offering the place to advertise, but beyond that, let it go.
http://www.goinggreenaccidently.blogspot.com
I like the picture of the seals clubbing more than that video/picture of a baby seal being CLUBBED.
i hope not.
Sure, why not.
They also sell great used exercise equipment, so there’s that at least.
Cm
@trebleclef402 - definitely agree with you. They don’t get commission from it but people find paid sex easier from this site.
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE DAN IS???
Tower to Dan…..come in Dan!
I don’t really know, but I do believe Craigslist promotes EVERYTHING, so that doesn’t leave much to the imagination, does it??!!
I have found Craigslist can be both beneficial and full of weirdos….it can go both ways – enter at your own risk!
Hey,
I don’t like your portrayal of undocumented immigrants on your last post. I respect your political views about the issue but first of all, I think you need to be educated more about the issue. I don’t think you are educated enough. In fact, I think you get your facts from republican conservative politican or person. While that is fine, I still think that you are being ignorant by when you generalize undocumented immigrants with the picture you chose to use on that post. How come you don’t show a picture of undocumented high school students that have lived most of their lives in this country and been raised as Americans but yet cannot go to a higher institution of learning. Oh how about you put a picture of undocumented immigrants serving the country in the Army? How do you even know the people depicted in that picture are undocumented? They could be American of Latino descent. It is very ignorant of you to assume that all undocumented immigrants look like that or are of Latino descent. There ARE undocumented immigrants that are from Europan, Asian descen and African descent. FYI. Maybe you took great offense that Nancy said that they are “very very patriotic” but how can you trust your newsource as not being biased. Since FoxNews is known to be republican and conservative. Seriously… you just proved your ignorance. Furthermore, I have another question, Did you even read the whole article? The article talked about U.S. Immigration Federals going inside a home and deporting the undocumented parent or parents thus seperating a family. Also, she said this was un-American because American values correspond to family values. Additionally, the whole article was about that the congressman is collecting petitions that ask President Obama to “stop the immigration raids and deportations that are tearing our marriages, families and children apart.” Seriously, you just misconstrued the truth for your own benefit. Thanks for being biased and stereotypical!!!!
The question should be what makes people think that they are promoting prostitution
Chen SHui Bian is a human. Let’s not be so fast to put the Former President of Taiwan in Jail. Let’s give him a fair trial first. Try him outside of Taiwan in California on Neutral ground or in Switzerland. NOt where People have hundreds perhaps thousands of missiles pointing at their heads from Fujian province.
Everybody knows that Mao said power comes out of the barrel of a gun in the little red book. So let’s give Chen Shui Bian a fair trial. The dead soldiers who fought and died for Taiwan’s freedom deserve at least a little respect.
Craigslist is busy facilitating STDs. They’ll get back with you later, Sheriff.
how do you put youtube videos on a blog? i cant figure it out!!
Without a doubt.
Internet in general promotes prostitution. Especially these “auction/ selling” sites. It’s a shame…