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Backpage.com was shut down Friday after the FBI raided the home of its co-founder, according to new reports.
Agents raided ex-owner Michael Lacey’s home, according to a local CBS affiliate — while users are sharing screenshots of a message saying it has been “seized” by the feds.
“backpage.com and affiliated websites have been seized as part of an enforcement action by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division,” says the message shared by numerous sex workers across the US and Canada.
“Backpage has just been seized by the federal government and taken down. This is terrifying,” longside the screengrab.
Others worried they won’t get money back from ads they’ve placed on the site, a popular marketplace for sex.
“So how much money do you think #backpage just stole from us? Thank you for getting rich off of us then kicking us while we’re down by changing the way we pay for ads, and pocketing our current balance,” wrote Miss Marla Moon.
Backpage has long been in the crosshairs of lawmakers, law enforcement and activist groups, who say its listings enable sex trafficking.
The Department of Justice and FBI didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Sex trafficking really isn't a victimless crime, is it?
Not every single ad on there involved sex trafficking. Many, if not most, involved consenting adults of legal age advertising sex work. And before you go off on the “prostitution is illegal” but, “sex work” is an umbrella term that can often include stripping/strippers for hire, burlesque dancing, and harmless kink work (including kinks that aren’t even sexual I’m nature). Of course the US had always had a bigger issue with anything sex related versus anything violent.
Not every single ad on there involved sex trafficking. Many, if not most, involved consenting adults of legal age advertising sex work. And before you go off on the “prostitution is illegal” but, “sex work” is an umbrella term that can often include stripping/strippers for hire, burlesque dancing, and harmless kink work (including kinks that aren’t even sexual I’m nature). Of course the US had always had a bigger issue with anything sex related versus anything violent.
Maybe the legal businesses should try to separate themselves from illegal prostitution and sex trafficking. Legit strippers are merely entertainers, not "sex workers". Backpage was a cesspool of hoes and child sex trafficking. Legal businesses can advertise anywhere why they have to use a kiddie pimp site.
Not every single ad on there involved sex trafficking. Many, if not most, involved consenting adults of legal age advertising sex work. And before you go off on the “prostitution is illegal” but, “sex work” is an umbrella term that can often include stripping/strippers for hire, burlesque dancing, and harmless kink work (including kinks that aren’t even sexual I’m nature). Of course the US had always had a bigger issue with anything sex related versus anything violent.
I would argue that the majority of people being advertised for sex on those sites were vulnerable, if not out right enslaved and/or trafficked.
I thought they already closed out their personal ads.
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