Ning, the build-your-own-social-network company posted this today on their blog:
We architected Ning so many diverse types of social networks could create their own social space and this is still one of the proudest achievements we have of the service today. It’s from this foundation that we’ve seen Ning grow to hundreds of thousands of social networks and millions of users around the world.
Therefore, the decision we’re announcing today to discontinue our Red Light District is a tough one. However, from a practical perspective, this difficult decision is the right one.
As of January 1, 2009, we’ll no longer support adult social networks on the Ning Platform.
We’re not discontinuing the Red Light District because we no longer believe in the freedom to create your own social network for anything as long as it’s legal. We do. Practically though, supporting adult networks no longer makes sense.
It’s an interesting post- the company sites DMCA issues, advertisers’ unhappiness with the content, and a growing number of adult-oriented groups breaking Ning’s rather liberal Terms of Service. Again, from the company’s blog:
Again, this was not an easy decision and we did not make it on philosophical grounds. We made it on a purely practical one. For those of you who created and worked hard on your adult network, we appreciate your work and dedication and wish there were a different answer.
Somehow, I don’t believe that last bit, but I’m glad for their decision.