Facebook 'ignored sex concerns'
2007-09-25 14:02
Albany, New York - The New York Attorney General has subpoenaed the social networking website Facebook following a review that faulted the company's efforts to protect users from sexual predators.
State investigators who set up profiles as 12- to 14-year old users said they were quickly contacted by other site users.
The investigators said adults contacted the phony user profiles seeking sex, with comments including: "u look too hot....... can i c u online," "do you like sex?" and "call me if u want to do sex with me."
Investigators said that when they told Facebook about their experiences, "many" times the concerns were ignored.
"My office is concerned that Facebook's promise of a safe website is not consistent with its performance in policing its site and responding to complaints", said Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
"Parents have a right to know what their children will encounter on a website that is aggressively marketed as safe."
He publicly released a letter to Facebook over its safety claims. The concerns are based on several "undercover tests" in recent weeks at Facebook (www.facebook.com), he said.
The subpoenas seek complaints made to the company and copies of its policies.
There was no immediate comment from Facebook.
- AP