SC Launches Criminal Investigation Into Craigslist

Maybe Henry McMaster doesn't understand the concept of user generated content. How far does he want to go before the powers at Craigslist feel it cheaper to just block requests from SC?

Sorta related to the whole Pirate Bay situation (albeit different crimes). The similarity however, is both sites host services that allow OTHERS to post whatever they want, 'somewhat' unhindered.

What McMaster's needs to understand, is that for Craigslist to police every single posting, would be a HUGE undertaking. Which is why many sites like this rely on users to click the "Report Abuse" button in effort to assist in policing the site.

Without a human checking each posting, it's near impossible to prevent the ads that McMaster's is up set about. All you have to do is post a listing with a .gif or .jpg, which contains images or text that gets your point across. Doing such, any software code Craigslist writes, won't be able to necessarily prevent someone from posting entries which mention sexual services through scanning text.

It'll be interesting to see how this one unfolds, should it ever become an issue that goes to trial. Cases like this, and the Pirate Bay case, will become case law that has a huge affect on everything Internet in the future.

Another case of a douche being out of touch with technology and want it to be something it isn't.

Maybe we should go onto Craigslist and hire a hooker to show up at Henry McMaster's office and maybe help him get that stick out of his butt?

Mr. McMaster needs to be educated on the use of the "Refresh" button.

There are some areas of this country that are still trying to ban broadband access AND satellite dishes to keep people from watching porn in their homes.

I've heard of towns where the police drive around at night with high powered audio pickups (like the ones used at football games) to listen if something "illegal" is happening in people's homes.

I suspect what you are seeing here is an attempt to get craigslist to shut down ALL of its services and pull out of SC altogether.

It's sad to see a State AG resorting to "Extortion." He is using his empty threats to bully Craiglist with his sadly outdated moral views.

The SC AG doesn't have a leg to stand on in this case. If he does take it to trial he will lose. Craigslist is not responsible for user postings under Federal Law.

Now if the AG wanted to go after SC residents who posted in that section then he might stand a chance of successful prosecution.

What does this have to do with HARDware?

Oh wait is this the inquirer? :S

Ahhh I'm really liking Tomshardware and Tom's Guide now. Then we have the editors actually responding to people in the comments.

And then editors like Jane owning idiots and their idiotic comments.

I didn't own anybody, I set things straight.

"Get your PORN and erotic advertisements off NOW. I can still see them!" - McMaster
"...sir, that is called a banner and it's simply advertising a social networking site where singles can chat, we have no control over what it's advertising, it brings in revenue to keep our site going." -Craiglist
"Well when I investigated further I found objectionable materials, I took pictures of them with my camera for evidence, you can't justify THAT!" -McMasters
*Sigh* - Craigslist

I honestly think they should just keep the erotic services section. What these idiot congressmen don't seem to understand is that prostitution existed BEFORE craigslist--they didn't invent it and whether its advertised on their site or not it's still going to happen regardless. I think it's actually a blessing for them since it makes it even easier to catch the crooks who are using these services!

If they eliminate the category the hookers are just going to spam their crap in another section like the personal ads, which will just render that category useless for people who might actually use that category for non-illegal activities. You'll likely see a lot of "escort" ads popping up that don't explicitly state prostitution, but will be obvious enough to those who go looking for it.

Quit wasting tax payer dollars and go do something useful with your time and our money.

Correction: I said congressmen, where it is specifically the attorney general making the fuss in this case. Regardless, my comments still apply to any law governing bodies involved.