Google’s transparency map: The U.S. firmly at the top, China missing

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We appreciate Google doing this. Letting people know how governments are censoring or looking into content is important for a free society. However, we do find China’s entry very disappointing. Here’s all it says: “Chinese officials consider censorship demands to be state secrets, so we cannot disclose that information at this time.” That said, take a look at how the U.S. compares to every other country. They’re way ahead of everyone else. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Sep 2010 20:02

For all the “victims” of the “adult services” section of Craigslist.org, I would venture there are a considerable number of individuals like myself – free thinking, entrepreneurial human beings with choices and responsibilities – whose real-life experiences, not to mention sources of income – are being stifled by our so-called advocates.
Former Craigslist sex worker Melissa Petro • Criticizing those who pressured Craigslist to take down the “Adult Services” ads. Petro made the choice on her own accord, and wasn’t forced into anything. When she didn’t want to do it anymore, she stopped. “I found the lifestyle physically demanding, emotionally taxing and spiritually bankrupting, and so I made a decision to desist,” she wrote. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

It certainly appears to be a statement about how they feel about being judged in the court of public opinion. It’s certainly the law that they’re not liable for it, but it’s another matter if the attorneys general are saying change your ways.
First Amendment lawyer Thomas R. Burke • Regarding the Craigslist “Adult Services” situation. It’s probably worth noting that Craigslist has thus far let the “Censored” bar speak for itself, suggesting that they’re trying to encourage discussion about what the whole situation means as a first-amendment discussion. Or as a safety net. Craigslist needs a little leverage. They’re getting savaged right now. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

cause After years of pressure which recently hit a head, Craigslist finally got rid of its monitored, for-pay “Adult Services” section. They put a “censored” bar in its place.
reactionWith “Adult Services” out of service, users just moved over to the loosely-monitored “Casual Encounters” section. Great job, watchdogs. source

» To emphasize: Craigslist had to take down a service which provided tracking and monitoring of all purchases because regulators were concerned about what was on the site. Now, those users are going to go to other places, such as Backpage.com, which DO NOT provide the kind of tracking and paperwork that Craigslist did. Why is Craigslist getting crap here? Simple: Because they’re an easy target. This kind of stuff is going to happen anyway. Deal with the root problem, authorities.

Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink