Craigslist Discards all Dating Ads After New Law Comes into Force

Craigslist has closed its dating ads section in the US in response to a new law against sex trafficking.

The new bill has stated that websites can now be punished for “facilitating” sex trafficking and prostitution.

Companies who have ads which promote prostitution and child sexual abuse have been posted in the ‘personals’ section of the advertising company’s website.

Craigslist announced that keeping the section would be too much of a risk and that the new law would “subject websites to criminal and civil liability when third parties (users) misuse online personals unlawfully”.

The company added: “Any tool or service can be misused. We can’t take such risk without jeopardising all our other services, so we are regretfully taking Craigslist personals offline.”

The US congress passed the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and will apply to all US states.

The law has also stated that “websites that facilitate traffickers in advertising the sale of unlawful sex acts” should not be protected.

For those who own or operate a website which promotes prostitution will be faced with a fine or imprisonment.

Last week, social network Reddit has also decided to ban its escorts message board following the new bill.

Read more here.