">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Murder brings scrutiny to fast-growing Craigslist - Yahoo! Singapore News
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
Murder brings scrutiny to fast-growing Craigslist
Reuters - Saturday, April 25
By Jason Szep
ADVERTISEMENT
BOSTON - When Marissa decided to switch jobs from nursing to prostitution a year ago, the online classified site Craigslist was pivotal, she said. Friends told her she could make lots of money just by advertising there.
"I would never walk the streets. I would never do that kind of thing. But it's pretty easy to put an ad up. We love Craigslist," said Marissa, who declined to be identified by her full name because of her illegal work.
After this month's murder of a woman who advertised exotic services on Craigslist in Boston, Marissa now carries a weapon, the latest illustration of how Craigslist has evolved from humble e-mail to a few San Francisco friends in 1995 to a global phenomenon associated with illicit sex and murder.
Legal experts say growing scrutiny of Craigslist by authorities could lead to big changes at the 14-year-old online bazaar that generates more than 20 billion page views per month in 50 countries with a staff of just 28 people.
The April 14 murder of 26-year-old masseuse Julissa Brisman, who was bashed in the head and shot three times, is the latest headline-grabbing crime linked to Craigslist.
Philip Markoff, a 23-year-old Boston University medical student, was charged with killing Brisman and with an April 10 attack on a 29-year-old woman who advertised sex services on Craigslist in the Boston area. Dubbed "the Craigslist killer," Markoff is being held in an isolated cell on suicide watch.
The murder followed the killing of George Weber, a New York reporter who was knifed to death after responding to a personal ad he placed on Craigslist in March, and the early-April sentencing of Michael Anderson, a Minnesota man convicted of killing a woman who responded to a babysitting ad. He also became known as the "Craigslist killer".
"There's a whole field of law emerging which is online media liability law and the question is how much liability do we place on companies that host information other people post online," said John Palfrey, a Harvard Law School professor.
"The general policy approach we have taken to the Internet starting a decade plus ago was to say there is basically no liability, but these recent cases put to the test that policy," said Palfrey, who is a co-director of Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society.
"Is it appropriate to say, 'No matter how harmful the material is, we don't want to have any obligation placed on Craigslist to take it down'? My sense that we need to strike a balance here between supporting online businesses and supporting innovation while also achieving greater levels of safety for children and others," he said.
"That's the conversation that these awful events provoke," he added, noting such changes "would have a huge impact on Craigslist and on future businesses that are structured in a similar way. It would be very hard to run if it was as lean a staff as Craigslist does and with the extraordinary reach that it has. That is exactly the trade off."
'HORRIFIC, BRUTAL TRAGEDY'
Along with its free listings for just about anything -- from apartments to furniture, jobs and cars -- San Francisco-based Craigslist.org provides one of the largest and most controversial sex-service listings.
It is partially owned by online auctioneer eBay, which bought a 25 percent stake in 2004.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who led a probe into American International Group's controversial $165 million in bonuses, this week called on Craigslist to block ads for escort services that promote prostitution.
He sent a letter to Craigslist officials asking them to eliminate photographs in the "erotic" services and similar sections of the site, hire staff to screen ads that blatantly violate Craigslist rules and offer incentives for people who flag and report prostitution advertisements.
Jim Buckmaster, Craigslist chief executive, initially denied his site offered "sex-related" ads, but he changed tact in a blog posted on Wednesday where he wrote that "more must be done" by Craigslist to eliminate illegal activity on its site.
"Craigslist is fully engaged in pursing this goal, and has several initiatives underway that speak to the concerns addressed in Mr. Blumenthal's letter, concerns which we also share," Buckmaster said.
Under pressure from 40 U.S. attorneys general, Craigslist agreed in November to charge people posting erotic ads $5-$10 by credit card and require them to submit a working phone number to use the site. Blumenthal said that allowed authorities to track illegal activity.
But Azer Bestavros, a Boston University computer science professor, doubts such sites can ever be policed fully.
"One can argue that Craigslist is just facilitating communication," he said. "Are we going to punish the phone company because they allowed prostitution by allowing people to call each other?"
Marissa, who describes herself in her ad as "very hot, exciting, engaging and full of sensuality", said she has her own ways of screening clients: she won't meet men unless she can call them at their workplace first.
"If they don't allow me to do that, I don't see them. But 90 percent of them let me call them at work," she said in a telephone interview as she drove between customers. "Most of us know how to take care of ourselves."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
0 users recommend
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Technology
Murder brings scrutiny to fast-growing CraigslistReuters - Saturday, April 25
Twitter a global sensation: HitwiseAFP - Saturday, April 25
Lost laptops cost companies dearly: studyAFP - Saturday, April 25
Latin American banks look to mobiles to battle crisisAFP - Saturday, April 25
Cell phone vital, air conditioning not so muchReuters - Saturday, April 25
Most Popular – Technology
Viewed
Downturn hits Elton John, Paul McCartney
Tigers resisting calls to surrender: S.Lanka military
Fertility doctor on brink of cloning human: report
Albino buffalo a first for Kenya
Charred meat linked to pancreatic cancer risk
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 30 September 2010 Iran puts off Bushehr plant launch to early 2011
US-TECH Summary
Indonesia lifts tsunami warning after 7.2 quake
|
U.S. envoy sees Netanyahu in bid to save talks
Europe hands France ultimatum in Roma row
E-books may spur more kids to read-study
U.S. judge grants bond to man in Afghan murder case
|
Workers swarm Europe's streets in anti-cuts protests
NATO confirms senior al-Qaida commander killed
TED conference wants ads worth spreading
Lost letters add a twist to DNA breakthrough
Study: Americans Drinking More Now Than in 1990s
Hitmen kill Mexican mayors as drugs war intensifies
|
FIFA track transfers with new online system
Companies sue Air France, Martinair for price fixing: lawyer
U.S. targets eight Iranian officials over abuses
|
WTO calls on US to cut farm subsidies
DHS Exercise Tests U.S. Response To Cyberattack
Final results give Chavez slim Venezuela vote win
|
Man Takes DJ's Bet, Tattoos Station's Logo On His Forehead
Boeing Gets $19Million Contract From U.S. Navy
Washington Post, NY Times, Gannett invest in news aggregator
China Airline Orders 4 Boeing Jets Worth $1.1 Billion
US, China to resume military contacts: Pentagon
Enbridge Restarts Michigan Pipeline Two Months After Oil Spill
Samsung to provide 3D TVs to Britain's Virgin Media
Italy's Berlusconi wins confidence vote
|
"Let Me In," "Case 39, "Chain Letter" Mark Horror-Filled October In Theaters
India's ID scheme launched in tribal village
HP Gets Floridas $20M Early Education Plan
Medvedev worries Japan with islands visit plan
Vietnam arrests three over porn websites: reports
NATO: No Genuine Negotiations Yet, Taliban Reconciliation Talks In Embryonic Stage
Japanese smokers stocking up before price hike
Kohls Opens 21 Stores, Adds 4,000 Jobs
Fearing holy site unrest, India bans bulk texting
Philippines launches online disaster hotspots map
U.S. appeals court allows stem cell funds to continue
Singapore's Lee hospitalized with infection
U.S. senator wants Afghanistan funds inspector fired
E-books may spur more kids to read-study
Dell pitches open system in data center offering
|
Bankers battle for Lehman souvenirs at London auction
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
E-books may spur more kids to read-study
|
Samsung to provide 3D TVs to Britain's Virgin Media
Leonard Cohen cancels Hawaii show, adds 3 dates
Director Arthur Penn dies at age 88
Indonesia cancels tsunami alert after major quake
Tony Danza turns teacher for TV show
Major 7.2 quake hits eastern Indonesia: USGS
'Bonnie and Clyde' director Arthur Penn dies
Indonesia lifts tsunami warning after 7.2 quake
Cross-dressing meets boy-girl duos on Paris catwalks
Family saga to represent Italy at Oscars
Russian ministry confirms ban on art for Louvre
Women activists in Jerusalem hail lifting of modesty barrier
Obama, US House target China over currency
China wins WTO backing in chicken fight with US
Travelers cancel JAL flights amid Japan-China row
Snooki takes romance from hot tub to book world
|
Fact or fiction? Facebook film the latest truth tale
|
Goldman Sachs to reduce stake in China's ICBC
Michael Caine says might retire at 80
|
Director Arthur Penn dies at age 88
|
Pakistan raises interest rate by 0.5 percent
Britney Spears praises Glee tribute
|
Renault-Nissan open to GM tie-up: Ghosn
Tony Danza turns teacher for TV show
|
Chinese sales help Porsche set new record: company
Leonard Cohen cancels Hawaii show, adds 3 dates
|
FACTBOX-Pakistan's c.bank ups key rate by 50 bps to 13.5 pct
Foreign soldier killed in south Afghanistan: NATO
Al-Qaeda plot to attack European cities uncovered
Special report: How Dubai got serious
|
Nintendo 3DS delay casts gloom over games giant
Pakistan officials accuse NATO of chopper killings
Italy's Berlusconi survives confidence vote
Anglo Irish Bank bailout hits 29.3 bln euros
North Korea's leader-in-waiting goes on show
|
Republicans scuttle net neutrality bill: Waxman
ADHD down to genes not poor parenting, says study
Warlords taint Afghan peace council: analysts
Spanish police detain three ETA suspects, seize explosives
Mosque verdict keeps India on security tenterhooks
|
Lawmakers decry US failure to stop 'jihadi websites'
US orders sanctions against Iran officials for rights abuses
Congress Hears Pentagon Plans For Improving Financial Accountability
Italy's Berlusconi wins vote of confidence
Pakistan says 3 soldiers killed in NATO strike
|
Melissa Rycroft To Host Fall Baby Shower On Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect.com
Taliban reject claims of Afghan peace approaches
China releases 3 Japanese but isle dispute lingers
|
US cyber exercise providing valuable lessons: officials
France unveils toughest budget in 50 years
Suicide After College Roommate Livestreams Gay Sexual Act Online
Coordinated militant attack plot disrupted: sources
|
Ashton Kutcher Is Popchips' President Of Pop Culture For Ad Campaign
Berlusconi gets rival's support in key vote
U.N. rights body backs critique of Gaza flotilla raid
Diller bearish on future of Ask.com
Spike TV "Scream" Awards To Feature "Scream 4" Footage, "Back To The Future" Reunion
Pentagon: China, U.S. Military Relations Back On Track
EU to launch proceedings against France over Roma
NATO confirms senior al-Qaida commander killed
U.S. Sanctions 8 Iranians Over Human Rights Violations
Dell pitches open system in data center offering
Stocks Dip Despite Energy Sector Rally
Could women play a bigger role in Islamic finance?
|
China Pledges to Balance Trade as U.S. House Prepares Tariff Vote
Investment a success story in Iraqi Kurdistan
|
US-TECH Summary
Nokia says starts shipping flagship N8 model
S.Lanka president confirms jail for ex-army chief
Three Japanese held in China released: state media
China releases 3 Japanese but isle dispute lingers
Christopher Plummer joins "Dragon Tattoo"
Mosque verdict keeps India on security tenterhooks
Senator wants Afghanistan funds inspector fired
Nigerian culture thrives 50 yrs after independence
Quake rocks Samoa on tsunami anniversary
North Korea's US 'trophy' ship is tourist site
Nokia says starts shipping flagship N8 model
|
Two Koreas hold first military talks since 2008
Turkish man convicted of assault in N.Zealand
DR Congo children turn to acrobatics to survive
Facebook and Skype exploring partnership: report
|
Nintendo 3DS delay casts gloom over games giant
|
Japan defence chief eyes China talks
Camel-crazy UAE use cutting-edge breeding technology
LG and Microsoft team-up in cloud computing
|
Aussie Power seeks IndyCar season crown
Oliver Stone: What helped pay for "Wall Street 2"
Bruce Willis spies a good time in "Red"
Mobile Web usage jumped in August: Opera
|
James Cameron gets close look at Canada's oil sands
E-books may spur more kids to read: study
|
Jerry Lee Lewis' 40 minute set unites generations
Republicans scuttle net neutrality bill: Waxman
|
Judge dismisses 2 charges in Anna Nicole drug trial
China: US bill on yuan would violate WTO rules
Japan to withdraw from Iran oil project: reports
Seoul shares move sideways; airlines gain
Korea NPS to invest $1 billion in Asian property
RPT-SCENARIOS-Taiwan central bank seen hiking rates again
Japan factory output slips 0.3 percent in August
South Korea bonds rise on weak factory output data
Seoul shares open up; techs continue gains
Moody's maintains NZ's Aaa stable outlook
Star Wars fans seem angered by 3D release plans
|
Fact or fiction? Facebook film the latest truth tale
|
Nokia says starts shipping flagship N8 model
Jon Stewart says rallies satirical, not political
|
Judge dismisses 2 charges in Anna Nicole drug trial
|
Christopher Plummer joins Dragon Tattoo
|
Oliver Stone: What helped pay for Wall Street 2
|
Bruce Willis spies a good time in Red
|
Afghan opium output drops 50 percent: UN
Germany tries woman in Baader-Meinhof murder
US, Euro diplomats strive to save Mideast talks
Pakistan stops NATO supplies entering Afghanistan
Technip Gets Two Hydrogen Plant Contracts
Pakistan halts NATO supplies after border attack
|
U.S. Funds $1 Billion For Anti-Greenhouse Gas Facility
Congress Passes Stopgap To Fund Government; Goes On Recess
US-TECH Summary
Car bomber in south Afghanistan kills 3 civilians
France says Niger hostage images offer hope
|
Kurdish rebels to extend ceasefire by one month
|
FTC Slams Juice Maker For Unproven Health Claims
Nokia says starts shipping flagship N8 model
Quito international airport shuts during unrest
|
Snooki To Publish Her First Novel
LG and Microsoft team-up in cloud computing
Taliban reject Karzai's peace council as failed
|
Feds Urge Parents Not To Put Babies In Sleep Positioners
Myanmar to free Suu Kyi days after election: officials
"DWTS" Producers Don't Think Judge Bruno Tonioli Should Apologize To Michael Bolton
Doctors Successfully Use Less Chemo To Treat Common Childhood Cancer
Dutch government pact cuts budget and bans burqa
|
North Korea publishes first photo of heir apparent
Denmark Tops List Of Best Countries To Do Business
Italy's Northern League ramps up anti-Rome rhetoric
|
Indian Ayodhya holy site to be divided: lawyer
Stuxnet 'cyber superweapon' moves to China
Oscar-nominated actor Tony Curtis dies: report
North Korea's leader-in-waiting goes on show
US and Europe toil to save Israel-Palestinian peace talks
Actor Tony Curtis dies: US media
Pakistan halts NATO supplies after border attack
Indian court rules disputed holy site to be divided
Thai PM has final say on Viktor Bout extradition
China warns US bill on yuan could hurt trade ties
Japanese climbers missing in Nepal: official
Over 60 to be charged in Zeus Trojan cybercrime
|
Pakistani rupee at record low; stocks flat
Pakistan's forex reserves jump to record $16.79 bln
India boasts record 69 billionaires: Forbes
Berlin Wall shooting video game angers victims' relatives
|
Bomb blast injures one in Indonesia: police
Philippine officials concerned over strong currency
Nintendo shares tumble on 3DS player delay
S.Korea c.bank contacts offshore dealers on won-official
India's Satyam shares slide 9% as losses announced
AIG sells two Japanese units to Prudential Financial
Taiwan c.bank raises rates to 1.5 pct
Japan's Panasonic develops robot hair-washer
Oscar-nominated actor Tony Curtis dies
|
Berlin Wall shooting video game angers victims' relatives
CNN's Anderson Cooper eyes daytime talk show
|
Mobile Web usage jumped in August: Opera
LG and Microsoft team-up in cloud computing
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights