Convinced that popular social networking site MySpace is being used by predators, the attorney general for the state of Connecticut and colleagues across the country are demanding MySpace provide key data on convicted sex offenders by May 29.
The strong request is but the latest from government officials who have expressed fear that sex offenders and other predators are using the Internet destination to connect with potential victims, without users knowing their true identity, age and criminal status.
MySpace said Monday it will begin sharing data with the attorneys general immediately, but did not provide details. The site did not reply, at press time, to questions as to whether it plans to implement age and identity verification.
Absent from the comments and statements is any mention of other popular social networking sites such as Facebook and Friendster, which top a long list of Internet destinations widely used by young demographics.
Just last week, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and seven other attorneys general wrote MySpace, claiming they have received information that thousands of convicted sex offenders have profiles on the site and asking for their names and other information.
Blumenthal and the attorneys general noted MySpace announced in December 2006 that it had hired Sentinel Tech Holdings to check the site for registered sex offenders. Information received by Blumenthal’s office indicates the search disclosed thousands of offenders with MySpace profiles, according to a statement from the attorney general.
In the letter, MySpace is asked to provide the offenders' names and where they live, as well as the total of number of convicted sex criminals identified, according to the statement. It also asks whether sex offender profiles have been removed; if so, how many; and what steps MySpace has taken to alert law enforcement and users who communicated with the offenders.
Monday, Blumenthal asked MySpace to implement age and identity verification on the site, requests the site so far has refused, he claimed in a press conference. Though he didn’t set a firm deadline, it appears the attorney general wants the steps taken as soon as possible.
"Convicted sex offenders have no place on MySpace," said Blumenthal. "Mixing sex offenders with children on MySpace is a recipe for tragedy – begging for facts and explanation from MySpace itself. What can MySpace executives be thinking? There should be an urgent alert to anyone in contact with these sex offenders. We're demanding that MySpace tell us the number of convicted sex offenders, their names and where they live. This mounting graphic evidence shows the need for age verification, parental permission and a higher minimum threshold at 16, as we have repeatedly requested. MySpace is more than a place for friends to meet. It's a playground for predators seeking to prey on children."
Joining Blumenthal in the letter were the attorneys general of Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The states are members of the executive committee for the group of all 50 states pressing MySpace to make the site safer for children. Blumenthal and North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper are the leaders of the group.
Facebook www.facebook..com
Friendster www.friendster.com
MySpace www.myspace.com
