Craigslist Pulls ‘Censored’ Bar From Adult Services Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Craigslist has removed the censored bar it had placed over its adult services section after it shut down the section last weekend.

The site replaced the section with the black bar about a week after a group of state attorneys said there weren't enough protections against blocking potentially illegal ads promoting prostitution.

Craigslist spokesperson Susan MacTavish would not comment but told the New York Times that the ads are still blocked.

The Times report said that analysts speculate that Craigslist used the word “censored” to make a statement.

“Though Craigslist is not legally responsible for what people post on its site, state attorneys general and advocacy groups have been pressuring the company to shut down the adult services section. But analysts also said that the outpouring of attention that Craigslist’s sex ads have received in recent days would make it very difficult for the site to bring back the ads,” the report stated.

“I’m very convinced that this is permanent, even if it was not their intention to make it permanent,” said Peter M. Zollman, founding principal of the Advanced Interactive Media Group, a consulting firm that follows Craigslist closely.

“I think it will be difficult, if not impossible, for them to go back and reopen that section without really running into a buzzsaw of negative publicity and reaction.”

Strong opposition from four human rights groups demanded that the company also close the adult services section on all of its international sites.

But there has been some support to reopen the section.

Danah Boyd, a Microsoft senior researcher who said she was a victim of violence, wrote on Huffington Post that the section increases visibility for victims and helps law enforcement track criminals.

“If you want to end human trafficking, if you want to combat non-consensual prostitution, if you care about the victims of the sex-power industry, don’t cheer Craigslist’s censorship,” she wrote.

Matt Zimmerman, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation wrote that “supporters of the First Amendment should loudly voice their opposition to this type of misguided rhetoric from elected officials.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2023 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Conservative Crusader Reveals Plan to Use Civil Lawsuits to Ban Adult Content Online

The leader of the American Principles Project (APP), a well-funded, anti-porn conservative lobby, said Wednesday that the ultimate aim of the age verification laws currently being passed in various states is to create a private right of action, so that parents could directly sue online companies if their children are able to access adult content.

Court Blocks California's Controversial 'Age-Appropriate Design Code Act'

A federal judge on Monday issued an injunction blocking the California attorney general from enforcing the controversial California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA), which was passed last year after lobbying from a British baroness.

CAM4 Launches Creator Platform FAN5

CAM4 has launched its new subscription-based fan platform, FAN5.

Creators of Hentaied, Parasited Launch New Site 'Freeze'

Romero Mr. Alien, the creator of Parasited and Hentaied, has debuted a new site: Freeze.

UK Parliament Passes Controversial 'Online Safety Bill'

The U.K. Parliament on Tuesday passed the much-delayed Online Safety Bill, despite vocal criticisms by virtually all digital rights and free speech organizations and advocates.

Holly Randall's 'Unfiltered' YouTube Channel Reaches 250K Subscribers

Adult filmmaker/photographer Holly Randall's YouTube channel, "Holly Randall Unfiltered," has just surpassed 250,000 subscribers.

Industry Vets Launch Creator Management Outfit 'Consensual Creators'

Industry veterans Alana Evans, Dee Siren and Keke Banxx have teamed to launch Consensual Creators, a management and marketing company catering to content creators.

Chaturbate Hosting 3rd Annual 'Health and Wellness' Online Event

Chaturbate is hosting its third annual "Health and Wellness" event online on Monday, Sept. 25, with panels scheduled throughout the day.

FSC's Lotus Lain, April Flores Lead Consent Workshop at NSAC

Lotus Lain and April Flores of the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) led a workshop last month on intimacy coordination and consent at the National Sexual Assault Conference (NSAC) in San Francisco.

New Adult Cam Platform 'Chatmate' Debuts

New adult webcam platform Chatmate has launched.

Show More