Craigslist ends personal ads after Congress passes anti-prostitution bill

Craigslist eliminated its personal ads late Thursday after Congress passed a bill that would penalize websites that promote sex trafficking and prostitution, even if the content is posted by a third party.

In a statement, Craigslist — a classifieds site that allows people to post everything from job listings and apartments for rent to community events and debate topics — said it was removing personal ads to avoid jeopardizing its other services. The website added that “any tool or service can be misused.”

The new bill, called the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, or FOSTA, imposes a penalty of fines or a prison term for anyone who operates an online service that promotes or facilitates prostitution. The Senate voted 97-2 to pass the bill Wednesday, and President Trump is expected to sign it into law.

The bill that passed was sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, both California Democrats, voted for the bill.

In a 388-25 House vote approving the bill last month, the Bay Area’s delegation was split. Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove (Sacramento County), Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, and Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, voted in favor. Reps. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, Ro Khanna D-Fremont, Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, and Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, voted against the bill. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, did not vote.

On Thursday, Reddit also announced a new policy that prohibits using the site to solicit or facilitate certain goods and services, including paid services involving physical sexual contact.