Is CL doomed for escorts?

[+ glutes]

After the Mr. Markoff incidents, and now 3 State AG's are after the "erotic" section of CL, will it be banned?

I also asked earlier why there is no 'erotic' section of CL when you click on any of cities in Spain...

 

http://m4m-forum.org/showthread.php?t=59734&highlight=spain

[josephga]

I think the cl will end up closing down the erotic section.

[MsGuy]

I think the cl will end up closing down the erotic section.

 

Once it became clear that serious free air time could be had by attacking prostitution on CL, some A.G.'s were bound to go for it. Likely the paid sex services will go, at least in those states that demand it. I doubt CL is willing to go to the mattresses over escort adverts. The hook-up section is more problematic for the A.G.'s. With a little backbone, CL should be able to push back successfully on this.

[Guest ryan2552]

I doubt we will see the erotic services section go MIA. There might be more oversight but its really no different than the old pink pages in the advocate. Any AG is going to be hard pressed to find a way to force CL to remove that section.

 

Lets keep in mind the so called CL killer was responding to a ad it isn't as if he posted a ad then lured someone to his house to kill her.

[+ Lucky]

I am interested in inquiring what the facts are for the opinions expressed on what is going to happen. We know so little of the facts of what is happening behind closed doors that I can't see how anyone can state that they know the erotic listings will be shut down. Sure, you can't say shit on tv, unless it's cable, but the same may hold here. This is like cable.

 

My opinion, since we are speaking without inside knowledge, is that since you have to take a specific act to bring yourself to the viewing of these ads, it could just be viewer beware and the forum held to be free speech. Some wordings may be banned to change the focus from outright prostitution, but the listings themselves may well continue.

[fedssocr1]

I saw the founder of CL interviewed I believe on Nightline last week. He talked about the fact that the "erotic service" section was created because before they did so the escorts and "masseurs" just advertised all over the rest of the site. So they are able to at least segregate those ads away from the rest of the site which is good for them. So I would be surprised to see it go away.

[MsGuy]

Ju$t $pell your $piel with dollar $ign$? Work$ for me, Lucky. There's no legal reason to cave in on hook-up ads, but CL may be reluctant to be seen by the general public as defending/facilitating prostitution. CL is a pretty big outfit now and has to take PR issues seriously. For the A.G.'s it's essentially a no lose proposition. They get the headlines up front and, if it all comes to naught in the end, that's page 6 news and the public only remembers the headlines.

[Boomer]

Complicated legal battle

 

After the Mr. Markoff incidents, and now 3 State AG's are after the "erotic" section of CL, will it be banned?

I also asked earlier why there is no 'erotic' section of CL when you click on any of cities in Spain...

 

http://m4m-forum.org/showthread.php?t=59734&highlight=spain

 

I suspect that this may be a first amendment issue. If government did try to close the erotic section of CL where does it stop? Rentboy? Men4Men? The Yellow Pages? Censorship is a slippery slope. That's not to say that there won't be modifications and perhaps security measures implemented by Craigs List, but theoretically isn't any online hook-up with an anonymous person a potential risk? Markoff, if guilty, is pathological. He would have simply found another venue or means. The Zodiac killer, and many other sociopaths (Jeffrey Dahmer) managed quite well without Craigs List. If anything, these types of wake up calls should make us all cautious when arranging to meet strangers. I know many enjoy the risk of the unknown, but those risks often have unfortunate consequences. I will now descend from my soapbox.

[+ glutes]

Was I far off the mark?

 

No more 'blatant internet brothel'!

BTW, there hasn't been a 'erotic' posting on SF CL since 8:45PM last night, 9:45PM last night for LA CL...

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE54C4YP20090513

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/13/craigslist.sex.ads/index.html

[MsGuy]

No more "21 yr. old $kater $eek$ generou$ friend?" Come on guys, we all suspected how this would end. Maybe it will be a boost for traffic at the Spotlight in L.A. and the Corner Pocket in N.O. At any rate punters and rent boys have had ways of finding each other for centuries and no doubt will find venues to hook up in the post CL era.

[josephga]

Back in November when they started charging 5.00 for the ads the daily postings was cut in half if not more, and my massage sales went up 25% now with these new rules I'm sure that will weed out those looking for the quick buck and my massage services will increase even more so I have no problem with the new changes.

[Lookin]

I suspect that this may be a first amendment issue. If government did try to close the erotic section of CL where does it stop? Rentboy? Men4Men? The Yellow Pages? Censorship is a slippery slope.

From the links posted by glutes:

 

Blumenthal said state agencies will keep a close eye on the Web site and others "to make sure prostitution and pornography do not migrate and move elsewhere."

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Richard_Blumenthal_at_West_Hartford_library_opening.jpg/200px-Richard_Blumenthal_at_West_Hartford_library_opening.jpg

[josephga]

the new section is called adult its listed under the erotic section at the moment. these are the new posting rules..

 

YOU MUST OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES WHEN POSTING IN ADULT SERVICES. ADS SUBMITTED IN VIOLATION OF THESE GUIDELINES OR CRAIGSLIST'S TERMS OF USE ARE SUBJECT TO REJECTION OR REMOVAL WITHOUT REFUND.

 

1. "Adult Services," like all categories on craigslist, may be used only for advertising legal services.

 

2. When using craigslist, you agree to abide by the craigslist Terms of Use, which prohibit posting, emailing, or otherwise making available content that is unlawful, pornographic, or which advertises illegal services.

 

3. Ads suggesting or implying an exchange of sexual favors for money are strictly prohibited.

 

4. Ads including pornographic images, or images suggestive of an offer of sexual favors are strictly prohibited.

 

craigslist may supply information about your identity and posting activity to law enforcement officers in response to subpoena or other legal process or as otherwise permitted or required by law.

 

By posting to this section, you expressly represent to craigslist that you are complying with all requirements of craigslist's Terms of Use and agree to indemnify and defend craigslist and hold craigslist harmless from all injury or expense suffered by craigslist. If you violate the terms of use, you further agree to pay, in addition to any charges for posting, any costs or damages incurred by craigslist (including without limitation costs to review your posting, costs incurred to comply with law enforcement request, and costs of collection), or $1,000, whichever is greater.

PLEASE NOTE:

 

* New "adult services" ads will be reviewed in the order received for compliance with posting guidelines and the craigslist Terms of Use.

* For approved ads, your credit card will be charged $10.

* Once submitted, ads cannot be edited.

* Coming soon - ads that are live on site will be eligible for reposting without review at $5.

[Grant Park]

Information left out of the Press Reports

 

CT Atty Gen, Richard Blumenthal Democrat

Cook County Sheriff. Tom Dart Democrat

IL Atty Gen, Lisa Madigan Democrat

MO Atty Gen, Chris Koster Democrat

NY Atty Gen, Andrew Cuomo Democrat

 

Draw your own conclusions.

[MsGuy]

CT Atty Gen, Richard Blumenthal Democrat

Cook County Sheriff. Tom Dart Democrat

IL Atty Gen, Lisa Madigan Democrat

MO Atty Gen, Chris Koster Democrat

NY Atty Gen, Andrew Cuomo Democrat

 

Draw your own conclusions.

 

S. Carolina A.G. Henry McMasters, Republican, also weighed in independently of the others. The wonder is not that some A.G.'s rushed to defend the public from horrors of prostitution (at least when the camaras were rolling ) but that most actually restrained themselves. Alternatively, the rest were just too slow off the mark to garner the garlands.

[lookin4hotties]

Craigslist hot mess

 

Apparently ads in the 'Erotic' section will be gone in a week.

 

Also, it appears the new Adult Section doesn't separate male

and female ads (so far)...

 

Not very impressive.

 

Lookin4hotties

[josephga]

I think by next weds they will have them separated i think they just tossed something up to have in place until then. I think the sensual massage should be separate from escorting too. They also took down the option to post a pic in the therapeutic massage section too. I guess that's too keep them from moving over too that section. Its sad that allot of bad apples destroyed something that was good for so many individuals

[+ g56whiz]

I just noticed that there hasn't been a new post on the Manhattan CL Erotic Services M4M since 12:07. There's usually many new postings each hour. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi!

[josephga]

I just noticed that there hasn't been a new post on the Manhattan CL Erotic Services M4M since 12:07. There's usually many new postings each hour. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi!

 

they left it up for now but no new ads can be added. i clicked on post and it comes up page not found..

[Guest zipperzone]

Couldn't CL avoid the whole bru-ha-ha by moving the service off-shore?

 

I can't think of a better way to tell all those Puritans to go f themselves.