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| Craigslist ditches erotic adverts | Craigslist ditches erotic adverts |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The US classified ads website Craigslist says it will remove its erotic services category, following claims it promotes prostitution. | The US classified ads website Craigslist says it will remove its erotic services category, following claims it promotes prostitution. |
| Law enforcement officials have said prostitutes and clients use the site for illegal sexual encounters. | |
| In place will be a new adult services section that will be closely monitored. | In place will be a new adult services section that will be closely monitored. |
| "We are optimistic that the new balance struck will be an acceptable compromise," Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster said. | "We are optimistic that the new balance struck will be an acceptable compromise," Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster said. |
| "Sued" | "Sued" |
| In recent months the spotlight has been turned on the San Francisco company, following a series of high-profile cases. | In recent months the spotlight has been turned on the San Francisco company, following a series of high-profile cases. |
| The one that gained national attention involved Phillip Markoff, 23, who has been charged with killing a young woman who offered her services as a masseuse on Craigslist. | The one that gained national attention involved Phillip Markoff, 23, who has been charged with killing a young woman who offered her services as a masseuse on Craigslist. |
| Julissa Brisman, 26, was found shot dead in a hotel room in Boston last month. | Julissa Brisman, 26, was found shot dead in a hotel room in Boston last month. |
| The was widely convered in the media, with Mr Markoff being dubbed the "Craigslist Killer." | The was widely convered in the media, with Mr Markoff being dubbed the "Craigslist Killer." |
| Tom Dart said he will still keep a close eye on the site | Tom Dart said he will still keep a close eye on the site |
| Earlier in the year, the site attracted the attention of a number of law enforcement officers. | Earlier in the year, the site attracted the attention of a number of law enforcement officers. |
| One of the most vocal critics of the erotic services adverts was an Illinois sheriff who sued the site in a federal court. | One of the most vocal critics of the erotic services adverts was an Illinois sheriff who sued the site in a federal court. |
| Sheriff Thomas Dart said Craigslist was failing to block offers to trade sex for money. He called the site "the single largest source of prostitution in the nation." | Sheriff Thomas Dart said Craigslist was failing to block offers to trade sex for money. He called the site "the single largest source of prostitution in the nation." |
| He said this latest move by the site is "a major step in the right direction". | He said this latest move by the site is "a major step in the right direction". |
| Last week South Carolina's Attorney General Henry McMaster threatened the management of Craigslist with prosecution if it did not remove the local erotic services posting within 10 days. | Last week South Carolina's Attorney General Henry McMaster threatened the management of Craigslist with prosecution if it did not remove the local erotic services posting within 10 days. |
| Last November Craigslist announced a deal with 40 state attorneys general that said it would charge for erotic services ads and require advertisers to user a credit card for payment. | Last November Craigslist announced a deal with 40 state attorneys general that said it would charge for erotic services ads and require advertisers to user a credit card for payment. |
| This was seen as a way for authorities to track them down. | This was seen as a way for authorities to track them down. |
| "Monitor" | "Monitor" |
| Existing adverts in the erotic services section will remain for the next seven days. | Existing adverts in the erotic services section will remain for the next seven days. |
| The new adult services category has now opened for postings by "legal adult service providers". | The new adult services category has now opened for postings by "legal adult service providers". |
| The site is best known for selling bikes and finding places to rent | The site is best known for selling bikes and finding places to rent |
| In a blog post, Craigslist said each post would be manually reviewed before appearing on the site to ensure compliance with the company's guidelines and terms of use. | In a blog post, Craigslist said each post would be manually reviewed before appearing on the site to ensure compliance with the company's guidelines and terms of use. |
| Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who had called the section "nothing more than an internet brothel", said authorities would monitor these new ads. | Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who had called the section "nothing more than an internet brothel", said authorities would monitor these new ads. |
| "I'm encouraged Craigslist has agreed to fundamentally change how they operate and monitor their site," said Ms Madigan in a statement. | "I'm encouraged Craigslist has agreed to fundamentally change how they operate and monitor their site," said Ms Madigan in a statement. |
| Craigslist, which donated all of the profits from "erotic services" ads to charity, has insisted all along that the site is relatively safe. | Craigslist, which donated all of the profits from "erotic services" ads to charity, has insisted all along that the site is relatively safe. |
| "Contrary to some of the sensationalistic journalism we've seen these past few weeks, the record is clear that use of Craigslist classified is associated with far lower rates of violent crime than print classifieds, let alone rates of violent crime pertaining to American society as a whole," said Mr Buckmaster. | "Contrary to some of the sensationalistic journalism we've seen these past few weeks, the record is clear that use of Craigslist classified is associated with far lower rates of violent crime than print classifieds, let alone rates of violent crime pertaining to American society as a whole," said Mr Buckmaster. |