Remember the good old days when you had to go to some skeevy part of town, or Las Vegas, to find a hooker. Well, the Internet changed all that.

Now, Craigslist may change it back.

The Web site, a very popular posting place for ads for “erotic services,” will now require a legit phone number and a fee with a valid credit card. And if law enforcement officials subpoena them, Craigslist will provide them information. 

According to the story by the Associated Press, Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster said the deal will allow legitimate escort services to continue advertising, while providing a strong disincentive to companies that are conducting illegal business. The goal isn’t so much to cut off sex between consenting adults, even if money is involved, but to stop the sexual exploitation of children.

The agreement does not cover Craigslist’s personal ads, where an ad for a “date” could be for more than a date. But Craigslist also hopes to cut down on those ads.

Forty states signed the agreement with Craigslist. Alaska, California, Florida, Las Vegas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, and Texas seem to have other plans.

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