Facebook to Test New Jersey AG's Web Safety Icon

Another absurd idea from a State Attorney General. IP addresses, like Chat Room IDs, are not fixed, for many Internet users their IP Addresses change each time they signon the Internet. So, if someone reports a specific IP Address, then 2 hours later someone else has that IP Address, they will be denied access for reasons they cannot figure out. State AGs need to work with prople who know the Internet and stop with the "Sounds Good" laws just to get votes. FaceBOook on the other hand is looking for press to pull folks to their site, I would bet they realize the problem with IP Addresses and that is why they are referring them.

9-5-2008 National:

The popular social networking Web site Facebook has agreed to test replacing its own link for reporting abuse with a bigger one developed by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

Under the agreement announced Wednesday, Facebook will display a "Report Abuse!" icon on a small fraction of its pages that display videos instead of its own link for reporting objectionable material.

Users that find offensive material may click on the icon to receive safety tips, a place to report the user to Facebook and the option to block the offender.

The test will involve at least 1.5 million randomly-selected page impressions over the next six months. One of the world's most popular Web sites, Facebook served 3.65 billion ad views in the U.S. in June, according to Reston, Va.-based Web measurement firm comScore, Inc.

At the conclusion of the test, Facebook will work with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office to decide whether to expand, revise or discontinue use of the icon.

In May, Palo Alto, Calif.-based Facebook agreed to add 40 new safeguards to protect users from cyberbullies and sexual predators following talks with 49 state attorneys general.

Seven other social networking sites have agreed to use the "Report Abuse!" icon including Blackplanet.com and Myyearbook.com. Sites that display the icon must agree to provide quick responses once problems are reported, and to have a way for a complainant to block future posts from the offending individual. ..News Source.. by Angela Delli Santi