College gossip Web site shuts down, citing economy

[SteveHardeman]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090205/...ampus_gossip_1

TRENTON, N.J. ? A Web site that publishes anonymous, sometimes malicious gossip about college students has agreed to cease operations.

Matt Ivester, founder and chief executive officer of Los Angeles-based JuicyCampus.com, announced his intention Wednesday in a message posted on the Web site. The message cited the national economic meltdown and falling ad revenue.

The shutdown comes nearly a year after New Jersey authorities subpoenaed the company as part of a probe to determine if the site was failing to comply with rules requiring users to agree not to post abusive or obscene content.

The site's operator, which denied any wrongdoing, was also facing a federal lawsuit filed by a University of Delaware student from New Jersey, who wanted to find out who was responsible for posting gossip about her on the site.

Just thought this may be thought-provoking.