The measures were outlined in a joint statement signed by craigslist,NCMEC, and the attorneys general of more than 40 U.S. states and territories,representing a broad collaborative effort spearheaded by Connecticut AttorneyGeneral Richard Blumenthal. The specific measures outlined in today's jointstatement were shaped during face-to-face meetings between Jim Buckmaster, CEOof craigslist, Attorney General Blumenthal, and representatives of NCMEC.

"Preventing site misuse and improving public safety are our highestpriorities," said Jim Buckmaster, CEO of craigslist, "and we are extremelyappreciative of the encouragement we've received from the attorneys generaland NCMEC." He added, "The incidence of crime on craigslist is actuallyexceedingly low, considering the tens of millions of legitimate ads postedeach month by well-intentioned users. But no amount of criminal activity isacceptable, and as craigslist has grown, we have become aware of instanceswhere our free services were being misused to facilitate illegal activities."Buckmaster continued, "We are unequivocally committed to stamping out misuseof the site and to improving safety for craigslist users, through preventativemeasures such as the ones we are announcing as part of the Joint Statement."

Due in part to the growth of craigslist, businesses have sprung up sellingsoftware and other services designed to evade craigslist's terms of use, andto circumvent its technical defenses against misuse, including phoneverification. By offering services designed to undermine craigslist's abilityto enforce its terms of use, these businesses facilitate the placement of adsfor illegal services that would otherwise be blocked by craigslist'sprotective measures. craigslist has no tolerance for these activities and hasfiled 14 lawsuits and is sending "cease and desist" demands to numerous othercompanies and individuals offering such services. In addition, craigslist willinvestigate and provide information to state attorneys general for theprosecution of those engaging in and facilitating criminal activity.

craigslist is constantly working to improve its existing tools forenforcing its terms of use. In this regard, the company has continued torefine its protocols for blocking inappropriate postings and advertisementsfor illegal services. In addition, a flagging system accompanies each ad, sothat inappropriate content can be identified by users for quick removal.craigslist has also implemented the industry standard PICS rating system fortagging adult content, to facilitate parental screening software on homecomputers.

craigslist recently implemented a telephone verification system for the"erotic services" section of the site, requiring a working phone number foradvertisers, and enabling blacklisting of phone numbers for those who postinappropriate ads. Phone verification resulted in an 80% reduction in advolume, and significantly increased compliance with site guidelines.

In addition to phone verification and other existing protective measures,craigslist will soon require credit card verification and a small fee per adfor posting in "erotic services," to further encourage compliance with siteguidelines. Paid ads that violate site guidelines will be removed withoutrefund. The company intends to donate 100% of net revenue generated from theseads to charity, with net revenue to be verified by an external auditor.

"Requiring credit card verification, and charging a fee to post in thiscategory raises accountability to a point where we expect few illicit ads willremain," says Buckmaster. "For those that do persist, telephone and creditcard information will be available to law enforcement via subpoena. More thanever, those who would misuse craigslist to violate the law will find thatcraigslist is a very inhospitable place."

The craigslist site is used by 40 million Americans each month, whorepresent a potent force for identifying and reporting illicit activity. Inaddition to participating in NCMEC's Cybertipline program, and urgingcraigslist users to flag suspect postings and file a report anytime theysuspect the exploitation of a minor or human trafficking, craigslist will workwith NCMEC and the state attorneys general to further improve site messagingto build awareness of these important issues.

Buckmaster added, "Human trafficking and child exploitation are despicablecrimes, and in addition to working diligently to prevent such abuse, we wantto do everything we can to raise awareness among craigslist users so that theywill be even more vigilant."

SOURCE craigslist