Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Screenshot of backpage.com
The Justice Department has indicted seven people affiliated with the classified ads website Backpage.com on a combined 93 counts, including facilitating prostitution and engaging in money laundering. A message appeared on the site Friday saying authorities had seized it.
The bigger picture: Backpage.com has been the subject of allegations that it facilitates illicit sex-trafficking. But some activists worry the shutdown puts sex workers who use the site in danger. Congress recently passed an anti-sex-trafficking bill that holds online platforms liable for hosting content that facilitates sex trafficking.
Read the indictment: