LinkedIn Tells Prostitutes to Go Away

LinkedIn's new user agreement includes a surprising clause: No promoting prostitution or escort services on your profile, even if it's legal where you live. ReadWriteWeb spotted the unusual inclusion, and wondered if it was even truly necessary. In its words, "would anyone really take the risk of advertising adult services?" What it quickly learned: yes. It surfaced the profile of one San Diego man who lists "escort" as one of his job titles and touts his work giving "ALL NUDE, full-body massages" ... while amusingly adding that he's also interested in academic work and "perhaps advising corporations on health & fitness issues."

It turns out LinkedIn users can also be "endorsed" for the "skill" of prostitution, but ReadWriteWeb notes that it appears the "skill" is usually held by law enforcement officers or religious counselors who ostensibly work with prostitutes. And then there's Europe: LinkedIn's terms previously banned the promotion of "unlawful" services, but such work is legal in parts of the continent. (More LinkedIn stories.)