Law Enforcement Calls on MySpace to Protect Children

HARTFORD, Conn. – Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has sent MySpace.com a letter asking the company to take steps to make the site safer for children.

The social networking site has become a popular meeting place for a diverse group of users, ranging from singles, to musicians to porn stars. While that mix often entices users to join, it also raises alarms for law enforcement concerned with keeping children safe online.

“This site now exposes young people to a perilous cyber environment with people posting sexually explicit materials and looking for sexual relationships,” Blumenthal said in a letter to MySpace. “Children can still view pornographic images, links to X-rated websites and webcam sex for sale offers.”

While Blumenthal called discussion with MySpace “encouraging,” he felt the need to send the letter, writing “These measures are technologically feasible, as well as consistent with your stated terms of service and your own explicit goal of prohibiting nudity and other offensive or inappropriate material from your website.”

Among Blumenthal’s requests:

  • MySpace should provide free software that allows parents to block the site.
  • MySpace should raise the minimum age for a user from 14 to 16.
  • Require users to login and verify that they are over 18.
  • Add staff and technology to filter and remove pornography.
  • Ban users who repeatedly post “deep links” to pornography.
  • Hire an independent “watchdog” that will report to the MySpace board on inappropriate material and sexual predators.
  • Make technical changes that will prevent minors from making their pages public.
  • MySpace is home to the profiles of many adult performers, marketing and advertising executives and industry fans.

    The company, which is owned by News Corp., did not returns calls from XBiz.

    Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
    Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

    More News

    BranditScan Rolls Out 2 New Platform Features

    BranditScan has introduced its new Traffic Optimization and Doxing Protection features for creators.

    NMG Management Partners With Cosplayground to Scale Distribution

    NMG Management has partnered with Cosplayground to expand the studio’s digital distribution and licensing operations.

    Dreamcam Rolls Out 'Voice Translator AI'

    Dreamcam has introduced a Voice Translator AI to its livestreaming platform.

    UK Government May Limit 'Step' Porn Ban With New Amendments

    The U.K. Ministry of Justice on Friday revealed new government amendments to the pending Crime and Policing Bill, potentially limiting a pending ban on “step” content to apply only if adult performers role-play as minors.

    Arizona Senate Removes 'Catch-22' Provision From Consent Bill

    The Arizona State Senate has amended a bill that would impose new requirements for adult content uploaded online, removing a seemingly contradictory provision that could have effectively made it impossible for adult sites to operate in the state.

    Climaxx Media Launches Networking Platform

    Climaxx Media has officially launched its new networking platform.

    Italian Court in Aylo Case Limits International Reach of AV Rules

    An Italian administrative court has ruled that Italy’s recently-enacted age verification rules for adult content may not currently be enforced against sites based in other EU member states, pending further procedural action under the EU’s Directive on Electronic Commerce.

    OCC, FDIC Prohibit Use of 'Reputation Risk' by Regulators

    The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on Tuesday issued a final rule codifying the elimination of ‘reputation risk’ as a criterion in their supervision of financial institutions.

    Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Age Verification Bill

    Gov. Tony Evers on Friday vetoed AB 105, an age verification bill that would have allowed anyone to sue adult content providers for damages over alleged failure to age-verify users in Wisconsin, with penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

    FSC Releases Statement on Wisconsin Governor Vetoing AV Bill

    The Free Speech Coalition has released a statement on Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers' veto of the state's age verification legislation.

    Show More