The infamous “censored section” is now marked by a black bar. San Francisco’s classified ads site had received intense criticism for its ads featuring adult services. Craigslist has been criticized for its adult service ads.

The attorneys stated that the increasing backlash from the public against these ads is an indication that Craigslist’s Adult Services section has been perceived as a haven of prostitution. Since Craigslist couldn’t screen the ads, they said the company should stop putting them up.

Craigslist had to shut down their erotica services section in May 2012 after the arrest by the “Craigslist Killer”, Philip Markoff. A lawsuit was filed against Craigslist for allegedly facilitating prostitution. The lawsuit was dismissed by an Illinois court in October. They ruled the company couldn’t be held accountable for wrongdoings committed by their customers.

Craigslist became popular in 1995 when Craig Newmark founded the classifieds service. Craigslist was the site of choice for online classifieds – including housing, jobs and personals; community, gigs; discussion forums. After the company was involved in controversies, and users engaged in illegal activities, Craigslist’s popularity became notoriety.

In September 2007, Minneapolis woman plead guilty to operating a company that provided prostitution services for minors. In September 2007, the body of a Minneapolis woman who responded to a job posting for a babysitter was discovered in the trunk. Michael John Anderson is the man who was found guilty in 2009.

Craigslist announced a crackdown in 2008 on the posting of malicious ads. Craigslist required that those who advertise erotic products and services provide a contact number as well as pay a charge with a credit or debit card.

In March 2009 a Cook County Illinois deputy filed a complaint against Craigslist. The lawsuit alleged that Craigslist had knowingly promoted and enabled prostitution by placing ads in the erotic-services section. Craigslist explained that the company could not screen the massive volume of ads the site receives each day and was not required to do this by federal laws.

Markoff (a 23-year-old medical student at Boston University) was arrested in April 2013 on suspicion of the murdering Julissabrisman, a masseuse. Markoff had also been accused of robbing the female escort just days earlier. He committed his suicide in August while awaiting a trial.