TechtechnologyVideoLinkedIn

LinkedIn Clarifies Its Ban On Prostitutes, And Yes, There Are Prostitutes On LinkedIn (UPDATE)

LinkedIn Ends Unsavory Practice
Open Image Modal
By 

Deputy Managing Editor Of Impact & Innovation, The Huffington Post

|

Not only is "prostitution" a tagged skill you can select on LinkedIn*, there are actually escorts who advertise their services on the professional networking site. Now LinkedIn is making sure everyone knows that the practice is not OK.

LinkedIn just changed its privacy policy and user agreement and now explicitly bans escorts from using the site to get clients. The new user agreement states that you must not: "Create profiles or provide content that promotes escort services or prostitution" even if prostitution is legal where you live.

LinkedIn has always prohibited "unlawful" profiles and that this change in its user agreement just makes prostitution more explicitly prohibited, since prostitution is legal in some parts of the world.

If you thought that this change in policy was perhaps just some sort of formality, think again. There really are prostitutes using LinkedIn to make connections. A quick search reveals there are a whole lot of "escorts" and professionals who offer "nude massage." A few that we found are shown below:

*Not only can you list "prostitution" as a skill, you can list a whole lot of other unsavory skills like "rape," "shoplifting," "gangs," "manslaughter," and "drug trafficking." People can also endorse you for those skills. It should be noted that many of the people who list "prostitution" in their skills are people working to combat prostitution and human trafficking.

UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect comments from LinkedIn clarifying the changes in the user agreement.

(h/t ReadWrite)

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Best Paying Jobs Of The Future
10. Optometrists(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 33.1 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 11,300Median income: $94,990States with the most jobs per capita: Hawaii, North Dakota, MontanaOptometrists specialize in the care of eyes and vision. Their responsibilities include diagnosing eye injuries and diseases, as well as prescribing glasses and contact lenses. In order to practice, they are required to have a Doctor of Optometry degree, presently awarded by just 20 accredited programs, and must be licensed by the National Boards in Optometry. Those who meet these qualifications are often extremely well-compensated: the top 10% of optometrists earned in excess of $166,400. With vision problems becoming more frequent as people grow older, the number of optometrists is expected to rise by 33.1% between 2010 and 2020.Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:ShutterStock)
9. Occupational Therapists (02 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 33.5 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 36,400Median income: $72,320States with the most jobs per capita: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire"Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working," according to the BLS. Becoming an occupational therapist requires a master's degree, which generally takes two years to complete. The number of occupational therapists is expected to reach 145,200 by 2020, as an aging baby-boomer generation looks to maintain its independence and stay active.Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
8. Veterinarians(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 35.9 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 22,000Median income: $82,040States with the most jobs per capita: Montana, Colorado, Iowa"Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working," according to the BLS. Becoming an occupational therapist requires a master's degree, which generally takes two years to complete. The number of occupational therapists is expected to reach 145,200 by 2020, as an aging baby-boomer generation looks to maintain its independence and stay active.Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
7. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 36.4 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 36,400Median income: $76,700States with the most jobs per capita: Massachusetts, California, WashingtonThough the roles of medical scientists vary from job to job, all study biological systems to understand their effects on human health. Medical scientists often work for the federal government, at research universities or in the private sector. By 2020, the number of medical scientists is projected to increase to more than 136,000, as the population of the United States grows and ages and the demand for prescription drugs rises. Educational requirements are quite high, with most positions asking for either a doctorate or a medical degree. The annual pay of the top 10% of medical scientists was $142,800.Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
6. Audiologists(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 36.8 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 4,800Median income: $66,660States with the most jobs per capita: New Mexico, Colorado, West VirginiaAudiologists treat patients who have problems with their hearing, balance or ears. A doctoral degree is necessary, as is a state license, though exact requirements differ by state. Explaining projected job growth, the BLS notes that "hearing loss increases as people age, so an aging population is likely to increase demand for audiologists." There are not very many audiologists, and a projected 36.8 percent increase in jobs would bring the total number of audiologists to 17,800 by the end of the decade. Annual salaries exceeded $102,210 for the top 10 percent of audiologists.Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
5. Dental Hygienists (06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 37.7 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 68,500Median income: $68,250 States with the most jobs per capita: Michigan, Utah, Idaho From 2010 to 2020, the number of dental hygienists is projected to rise by 37.7 percent to more than 250,000. Factors driving increased demand for this occupation include ongoing research linking oral health to general health, as well as an aging population keeping more of its teeth. Dental hygienists typically do not need a professional degree or previous work experience, though they often need an associate's degree and a license. Typical job responsibilities include cleaning teeth and taking dental X-rays.Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
4. Physical Therapists(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 39.0 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 77,400Median income: $76,310States with the most jobs per capita: Rhode Island, Vermont, MainePhysical therapists assist patients by helping to address and correct dysfunctional movement and pain. They are required to have a postgraduate professional degree, typically a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and a license. Those completing these prerequisites join one of the fastest-growing professions in the country -- by 2020, the number of positions is expected to rise by 39 percent. The BLS states that "demand for physical therapy services will come, in large part, from the aging baby boomers, who are staying active later in life than previous generations did." The top 10 percent of physical therapists earned more than $107,920.Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
3. Market Research Analysts And Marketing Specialists(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 41.2 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 116,600Median income: $60,570 States with the most jobs per capita: Delaware, Massachusetts, New YorkMarket research analysts work in most industries, monitoring and forecasting marketing and sales trends, as well as collecting and analyzing data on their companies' products or services. To become a market research analyst, a bachelor's degree is typically required, though many analysts have a master's degree. Citing increases in the use of market research across all industries, the BLS projects the number of positions in the field will rise to almost 400,000 by 2020. Top-earning market research analysts made more than $111,440 annually.Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
2. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 43.5 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 23,400Median income: $64,380States with the most jobs per capita: Rhode Island, Florida, South DakotaDiagnostic medical sonographers work in hospitals and other facilities, conducting ultrasounds on patients and analyzing the resulting images. The BLS projects an increase of 43.5 percent in the number of positions between 2010 and 2020, which would raise the total number of such jobs to 77,100. Explaining the driving factors behind the growth, the BLS states that "as ultrasound technology evolves, it will be used as a substitute for procedures that are costly, invasive or expose patients to radiation." Sonographers typically need an associate's degree, and many employers prefer candidates to have professional certification. The top 10 percent of sonographers made more than $88,490 annuallyRead more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
1. Biomedical Engineers(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
Percent increase: 61.7 percentTotal new jobs (2010-2020): 9,700Median income: $81,540States with the most jobs per capita: Massachusetts, Utah, MinnesotaThe work of biomedical engineers typically involves designing or maintaining biomedical equipment, such as artificial organs and X-ray machines. These jobs often require a great deal of technical knowledge in fields such as biology, engineering, math and chemistry. Because of this, a bachelor's degree is typically needed. The professional requirements come with impressive compensation. The median income for such jobs was $81,540 and the top 10 percent earned more than $126,990. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of biomedical engineers is projected to rise by 61.7 percent, more than four times the projected growth rate for all jobs, which is 14 percent. To explain its growth projections for the profession, the BLS cites the baby boomer generation's growing demand for biomedical devices and procedures as it "seeks to maintain its healthy and active lifestyle."Read more at 24/7 Wall St. (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip