MySpace now says that it would release sex offenders database from their website

MySpace now says that it would release sex offenders database from their website

Internet’s most visited social networking service MySpace.com has now said that they would indeed release the information about known sex offenders participating in its online community to the law enforcement agencies including the attorneys generals.

They had earlier declined the request made by the attorneys generals saying that releasing the information without following the proper legal procedures could subject them to liability under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986.

Mike Angus, executive vice president and general counsel of Fox Interactive Media, the corporate parent of MySpace spoke about their updated stance at this request: “In addition to immediately removing registered sex offenders from MySpace, our plans have always been to provide the information collected by Sentinel Safe to law enforcement, including the attorneys general.”

Angus added: “We’re pleased to have worked with Attorneys General Blumenthal and Cooper to devise a solution that allows us to provide this information in a way that enables law enforcement to use it in criminal investigations and probation or parole proceedings. We applaud their continued leadership in this area.”

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal had this to say about this new development: “I commend MySpace for taking this step and welcome this cooperation. Social-networking sites should not be playgrounds for predators. Other social-networking Web sites should follow MySpace’s lead to kick out sex offenders and keep them off their sites.”