Craigslist goes on the offensive

May 21, 2009

Last week I wrote that the push by 40 state attorneys-general to force Craigslist to police its own site for ads soliciting prostitution amounted to little more than a political power play.

Tuesday, Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster took the offensive, filing a suit against South Carolina AG Henry McMaster, declaring McMaster's ultimatum to Craigslist amounted to prior restraint. McMaster (I know, the similarity of names makes things a little confusing) ordered Craigslist to the site to take down all listings pertaining to South Carolina that could be used to advertise prostitution or sales of pornography. If not, he vows to prosecute Craigslist for aiding an abetting prostitution...