Craigslist Becomes More Family Friendly

Perhaps “family friendly” isn’t the right term for today’s Craigslist.com, but it has formally dropped its “adult services” (or “erotic services” as it use to be known by those… who knew).

Under pressure from attorney generals in the US, the classified listings website is no longer allowing folks to post ads of an erotic nature. It seems there’s been a growing case against Craigslist that the “adult services” facilitated and promoted prostitution and human trafficking. And if you’re Craigslist, that kind of rep just doesn’t look good for business.

One report cited by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says that Craigslist could have made $36.3 million or more a year from the illegal sex ads that appear on its website. To Craigslist’s credit, the company had made efforts to improve its reputation by donating to charity all funds generated from its “erotic services” listings. But that’s hardly enough when charges of human trafficking are involved.

While dropping its “adult services” is a case of folding under pressure, it’s the type of fold I can handle. Now, of course, the formal “adult services” may be gone, but the Internet (and even Craigslist) is a big place where you can find whatever you’re looking given enough time.

[via Calgary Herald]