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by the_stc 3083 days ago
We facilitate sex work, yes. We do not support trafficking, we verify IDs first, and we will use pattern recognition to detect trafficking/pimps and ban them from our platform. This is not perfect, but it is a great improvement from where things are today: Backpage actively fighting to keep underage listings on their site!

We are very much open to hearing of suggestions on how to improve things. Let us know: humans@pinkdate.is.
1 comments
wpietri 3083 days ago
This is such a great/terrible example of the absolute arrogance in the tech industry. I really do try to defend tech in general, but then something like this comes along.

Your claim is that you can enter into an industry literally thousands of years old and use a little algorithmic magic to prevent sex trafficking where the world's collective police departments have consistently failed. And it's all done by an anonymous bunch of dudes. Pretending that they have an "extrajurisdictional company". Which, yes, is a criminal conspiracy. Except conducted on the web, and funded by an illegal securities sale.

It of course brings to mind this classic bit from the Wire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBdGOrcUEg8

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the_stc 3083 days ago
Do not change my words.

I am not pretending algorithmic magic will prevent sex trafficking. I am saying that, to the best of our abilities, we will ban it from our platform. At least for underage trafficking, by checking IDs we are already far better than classifieds.

So we will do our part to fight against and not enable trafficking. We are not a free-for-all marketplace.

That is the extent of my claims!

Police are ineffective because they do not control the marketplace, unlike us. If governments wanted to shut down trafficking they have the option to legalize and regulate. That would harm illegal operations.

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wpietri 3083 days ago
Oh, so "pattern recognition" means you will... look at things? Gosh, how impressive. I'm sure that will get you really far when dealing with career criminals, as they have never really tried deceiving anybody before.

More accurately, you will do your part to fight trafficking as long as it doesn't get too much in the way of making money for yourselves and your investors. That is, people looking to profit off prostitution.

For the record, I'm entirely in favor of legalization and regulation. Which is why I think an international criminal conspiracy with a high-tech gloss is an absolutely terrible idea.

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