Facebook subpoenaed by New York AG
p2pnet news | Politics:- Facebook’s fame has brought it in line with accusations which have until now been mainly reserved for Rupert Murdoch’s MySpace, often described as a happy hunting ground for sexual predators.
Now, is Facebook misleading users by promoting itself as a place where high school students and younger children are safe from adult sexual predators?
The question is being asked by New York attorney general Andrew M. Cuomo, says the New York Times.
“Yesterday, the attorney general’s office issued a subpoena to the company requesting documents related to the security that Facebook promises to its 42 million users and how it resolves complaints,” says the story.
The subpoena is, “part of an investigation in which investigators from Mr. Cuomo’s office, posing as young teenagers, set up profiles on Facebook and received online sexual advances from adults within days, prosecutors said,” it goes on.
It orders Facebook to submit complaints regarding “inappropriate solicitation of underage users and inappropriate content on the site, as well as any responses generated by the company,” says PC World.
“Facebook also has to produce all of its policies ‘on user safety and all representations made to consumers about the safety of the site,’ the attorney general’s office said in a statement,” the story goes on, adding:
To add insult to injury, Facebook either didn’t respond or responded slowly to complaints from the investigators posing as either harrassed minors or their parents, according to Cuomo’s office. Facebook reacted in similar ways to complaints about inappropriate images displayed on the site.
Overall, Cuomo takes issue with Facebook’s assertion that its social-networking site is safe and suggests that Facebook may be in violation of New York laws for misleading public statements and advertising.
Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal last month criticized Facebook for allowing at least three registered sex offenders to create profiles, says the NYT, also pointing out MySpace said it removed 29,000 convicted sex offenders from its site.
“Anyone can join Facebook,” says the site.
“All that’s needed to join Facebook is a valid email address. To connect with coworkers or classmates, use your school or work email address to register. Once you register, join a regional network to connect with the people in your area.”
Also See:
New York Times – New York Investigating Facebookâs Safety Rules, September 25, 2007
PC World – NY Blasts Facebook Over Predators, September 24, 2007
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September 25th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is tied in with the NY AG’s contract with Mediadefender to sniff out child porn traders.
Yeah, the infamous leaked phone call.