Top Law Enforcer In Texas Thumbs Nose At MySpace
Technology Daily's PM Edition on Monday included a story about social-networking firm MySpace and attorneys general from 49 states and the District of Columbia issuing guidelines for keeping kids safe on the Internet, with the aim of involving other high-tech and child-protection stakeholders [read the full story here].
It was noted that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott was not among the state law enforcers who publicly backed the effort. His office did not return calls by deadline but later in the day, we received a letter written by Abbott to MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe addressing the issue.
In the letter, Abbott said he is concerned that sites like MySpace "do not adequately protect young users" and as a result he was unable to join the joint statement that other state attorneys general issued. However, he did note that he appreciates "the spirit of cooperation" that MySpace has fostered in recent months.
Abbott goes on to claim that MySpace and other social networking sites are unable to truly protect minors until an age verification system is effectively developed and implemented. Signing onto the guidelines "would be misperceived as an endorsement of the inadequate safety measures contained therein," he wrote.
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