Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 24, 2008 8:04:31 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Roomie Site Can't Match by Gender, Sex Preference

Posted Apr 4, 08 7:10 AM CDT in Business,  Technology,  US 

(Newser) – Roommates.com is violating fair-housing laws by asking users their gender, sexual preference, and whether they have children, and using that information to match them,  a US Court of Appeals ruled yesterday. Judges said such questions would be illegal if a real estate agent asked them over the phone and don't "magically become lawful when asked electronically," the Los Angeles Times reports.

A similar fair-housing case against classified ad site Craigslist was thrown out recently, but the judges said the difference is that Roommates.com requires users to choose from a menu containing preferences, making "answering the discriminatory questions a condition of doing business." Dissenting judges said the ruling could threaten all interactive sites and harm the Internet's growth.

Source Los Angeles Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
New roommates unpack at university. A court has ruled that a roommate-finding website is liable under anti-discrimination laws.   (KRT Photos)
Judges have decided that a roommate-finding website that asks users what gender or sexual orientation they would like their roomie to be is liable under fair housing laws.   (Shutter Stock)
Judges recently found Craigslist not liable under fair housing laws, but the difference with Roommates.com was that users were required to choose from a menu containing discriminatory choices.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Internet  • civil rights  • website  • housing  • discrimination  • Craigslist  • classified ads  • liability


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »