Facebook "not safe for children"

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 25 Sep 2007 at 10:14

The New York Attorney General's office has subpoenaed Facebook, accusing the social networking site of not keeping young users safe from sexual predators and not responding to user complaints.

In a letter accompanying a subpoena for documents, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says a preliminary review has revealed defects in Facebook's safety controls and in its response to complaints.

He says the shortcomings contrast with the assurances made by the company and accused the site of failing to match its expansion with an improvement in safety measures.

Posing as underage users, undercover state investigators have been testing Facebook's safety controls and procedures. The investigators were solicited by adult sexual predators and could access pornographic images and videos, Cuomo says.

"It appears that Facebook has not significantly altered its representations about safety and inappropriate content on the site," says Cuomo.

"It does not have the right to represent that its site is safe and that it promptly responds to complaints when such statements are not accurate."

A spokeswoman for Facebook says the company is aware of the subpoena and is preparing a statement.

The subpoena comes amid a joint 50-state investigation into Facebook, Myspace and other online social networks. The sites are under scrutiny over concerns they may fall short in protecting young users.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, North Carolina's Roy Cooper and Ohio's Marc Dann say they met with Facebook last week to discuss some of the issues surrounding it.

"We are negotiating with Facebook, including a productive, face-to-face meeting with Facebook representatives last week in my Hartford office," Blumenthal says. "Facebook has a long way to go before we are satisfied."

Blumenthal claims his office has learned of at least three convicted sex offenders who were on Facebook, adding that that number may be the "tip of the iceberg."