Conn. Bill Would Compel MySpace To Check User’s Age
A Connecticut legislation aimed at requiring MySpace.com and other social-networking websites to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent before minors can post profiles was earlier revealed.
Said bill was triggered by a case in the locality where a man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for using MySpace.com to set up a sexual encounter with an 11-year-old native. The legal plight was one of the first cases to involve federal sex through the aid of the popular website.
"The technology is available. The solution is financially feasible, practically doable," Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said. "If we can put a man on the moon, we can check ages of people on these Web sites."
When approved as law, the legislation would compel any networking site to verify users age. If it fails to verify ages and obtain parental permission of users under 18, the website would face civil fines up to $5,000 per violation. The legislation would require websites to check information about parents to make sure it is legitimate. Parents would be contacted directly when necessary.
MySpace Chief Security Officer Hemanshu Nigam said the company is committed to protecting teens online but does not believe the proposed bill is the best way to do that. "We have and will continue to focus considerable resources on developing effective ways to make our site safer. Attorney General Blumenthal's proposal, while well intentioned, is not the answer," Nigam said.
