For almost a decade, backpacks has been booed by politicians, criticized by legislators, and dramatically misunderstood by the media, with negative stereotypes reinforced by Hollywood. In early 2010, the top prosecutors in 21 states argued that classified advertising site was “exploiting women and children.” 

The Department of Justice closed Backpage.com in 2018, but it still activates anger and score in some corners. ( “They were selling children, ” said the senator and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in March.) A number of founders and former administrators arrested last year on the federal, prostitute and money-laundering awaiting trial in 2020 to prevent the prosecution from seizing the assets.

“For far too long, Backpage.com existed as…a place where sex traffickers frequently advertised children and adults alike,” said then–Attorney General Jeff Sessions upon their April 2018 arrest. U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Strange alleged that Backpage made “hundreds of millions” by “placing profits over the well-being and safety” of victims.

Full Story by Reason Magazine