Facebook, states agree on new safeguards

While it would make sense to ban someone from the service IF they had committed a crime related to the service or similar service, it makes no sense to ban sex offenders who have not committed any crime related to this type of service. In addition, it also makes no sense to ignore other persons who have committed crimes of any type, especially since 87% of new sex crimes are committed by these persons following their release from prison. US DOJ 1997. Further, overall 96.5% of sex crimes are committed by persons who have never before committed a sex crime. US DOJ Victim Statements.

5-8-2008 National:

HARTFORD, Conn. — Officials from several states say Facebook has agreed to implement more than 40 safeguards to protect younger users.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says the changes are designed to thwart sexual predators, fraud and online bullies at the popular online hangout.

He’s one of the attorneys general who announced the agreement today.

Facebook has agreed to ban convicted sex offenders from using the service and will make it harder for older users to search online for subscribers who are under age 18.

Facebook will also join a task force seeking better ways to verify the ages of users, The agreement is similar to one reached in January with Facebook’s larger rival, MySpace.

Telephone messages were left today at Facebook’s headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif. ..more.. by ASSOCIATED PRESS