MySpace Software Called Into Question

HARTFORD — Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal released the following statement on Wednesday, January 17, addressing the new software MySpace has developed.

“MySpace’s ‘Zephyr’ software is a shortsighted and ineffective response to a towering danger to kids. Children can easily evade the software’s purported protections by creating profiles from computers outside the home. This software does nothing to stop predators or protect kids from inappropriate material.

“Predators will continue to prey on children using MySpace until the website and its parent company implement real age verification. I and my fellow attorneys general will continue to demand that MySpace institute age verification, safeguarding kids against explicit sexual material and adults seeking sex. MySpace needs to stop making excuses and introduce age verification, as well as increase its minimum age to 16. Age verification for users 18 and older using publicly available data is easy and effective. MySpace can confirm the ages of younger users by requiring information from a parent or guardian.

“MySpace must better shield children from sexual predators and inappropriate content. Action is long overdue. MySpace must stop ignoring the elephant in the room and implement real age verification.

“I will continue to help lead our powerful coalition of Connecticut and 33 other states and consider every available option, including possible legal action, if the site continues to resist doing so.”