Craigslist Shut Down Personal Ads After Sex Trafficking Bill Passes

Personal advertisements on Craigslist have been shut down following the passing of an anti-sex trafficking bill.

Craigslist announced the changes in an update on their website.

“US Congress just passed HR 1865, ‘FOSTA’, seeking to subject websites to criminal and civil liability when third parties (users) misuse online personals unlawfully,” explained Craigslist. “Any tool or service can be misused. We can’t take such risk without jeopardizing all our other services, so we are regretfully taking craigslist personals offline.”

“Hopefully we can bring them back some day,” the website continued, adding, “To the millions of spouses, partners, and couples who met through craigslist, we wish you every happiness!”

According to the Hill, “The Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 (FOSTA), passed by both chambers of Congress, amends a longstanding provision absolving online platforms of liability for content posted by their users, making it easier to target websites with legal action for enabling prostitution and sex trafficking.”

Last year, it was reported that Silicon Valley companies were “on edge,” over the bill, expressing concern over the difficulties of monitoring every user on their websites and being held responsible for any illegal acts they commit.