Craigslist Shielded Against Erotic Services Lawsuit

An Illinois based federal judge granted Craigslist a motion for a judgment over the website’s ex “erotic services” listing.  Seeking financial award under the Communications Decency Act, Thomas Dart, the Sheriff of Cook County Illinois, filed a lawsuit against Craigslist alleging that its erotic services category helped perpetuate prostitution.   Thomas Dart is seeking an injunction prohibiting Craigslist from publishing erotic services listings.  The sheriff also desires financial compensation for  the money that his office has spent investigating prostitution occurring on the site.

Soon after the suit was filed, Craigslist changed the title to “adult services” and instituted a review process for postings in that particular category.   Sheriff Dart argued that the changes did not eliminate the problem.

Illinois district Court Judge John Grady ruled that Craigslist was shielded from liability by section 230 of the Communication Decency Act which states that a provider of an interactive service can’t be held accountable for what transpires via third party material.  Responsibility then falls onto the shoulders of the person posting the content, not the website providing the services.

The ruling means that Thomas Dart cannot recover financial damages from Craigslist under the stipulations of his suit.

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