Backpage.com shuts ‘adult’ section in face of government pressure

The online classified advertising site Backpage.com abruptly shut its “adult” section on Monday, yielding to a campaign by some state and federal government officials to close a service they contend promotes prostitution and human trafficking. The unexpected move came on the eve of a hearing convened by a U.S. Senate subcommittee at which Backpage executives had been ordered to testify.