misunderestimation

In a move that is long over due, MySpace this week announced Tuesday its plans to identify and delete accounts for sex offenders:

MySpace is partnering with Sentinel Tech Holding to build and deploy within 30 days a database that will contain the names and physical descriptions of convicted sex offenders in the United States. An automated system will search for matches between the database and MySpace user profiles. Employees will then delete any profiles that match.

While the move was widely applauded, some MySpace watchers question whether it will be effective because sex offenders can conceal their identity online.

So, has MySpace finally realized that protecting their users is the right thing to do? Or is there another reason:

Business analysts say the the personal safety of its online users as well as the protection of entertainment copyrights are viewed as two of the biggest threats to MySpace’s ability to make money in the future.

Parents, don’t get too comfortable with this protection plan. How many sex predators are going to user their real identity? This partnership is there to protect the business interests of MySpace first and foremost. Protecting kids is a good PR move and will help ease the minds of some; until tomorrow’s headline.

Other’s blogging on this issue:

• MySpace to Purge Sex Offenders
• Sex Offender Hide & Seek
• MySpace to Adopt Sentinel Safe to Stop Teen Predators
• MySpace Pays Lip Service To Eliminating Internet Predators
• MySpace Goes Medieval on Sex Offenders

More misunderestimation