MySpace dumps 200,000 profiles

fusionx · 03-31-2006

Original article: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/3f8a53d4-c0...0779e2340.html

MySpace acts to calm teen safety fears
By Joshua Chaffin and Aline van Duyn in New York
Published: March 30 2006 20:26 | Last updated: March 30 2006 20:26

MySpace.com, the fast-growing community website hugely popular with American teens, has removed 200,000 “objectionable” profiles from its site as it steps up efforts to calm fears about the safety of the network for young users.

The site, which allows users to create their own profiles with details of their interests that can be viewed and linked to by other MySpace.com “friends”, was acquired by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp last year and its phenomenal growth has placed it at the centre of the media company’s internet strategy.

Ross Levinsohn, head of News Corp’s internet division, said some of the material taken down contained “hate speech”. Some of it, he said, was “too risqué”.

“It’s a problem that’s endemic to the internet – not just MySpace,” Mr Levinsohn said. “The site, in the last two months, I think has become safer.”

With 66m users, and 250,000 new users signing up every day, MySpace has become one of the top internet destinations.

Chernin shakes up media titan
Click here

Peter Chernin, president and chief operating officer of News Corp, told the Financial Times that, although he and Mr Murdoch were very optimistic about its prospects when they acquired it last year, MySpace had exceeded their expectations.

“MySpace is more potent and powerful than even we knew,” Mr Chernin says. “And it is becoming a more integrated part of people’s lives.” However, as efforts grow to attract more advertisers to the site, News Corp is facing two challenges. Young users have to keep wanting to use the site, rather than switch to a “cooler” alternative.

Also, advertisers have to feel confident their reputation will not be tainted by “inappropriate” content. Teachers and parents are concerned that, because information on MySpace is publicly available, it might put teenagers in contact with predatory adults. In terms of retaining its appeal, Mr Chernin said users had to keep feeling the site was theirs. “We don’t want to change the fundamental look and feel of the site,” he said. “We do not want users to have any sense that it is corporatised.”

Bishop · 03-31-2006

I hope the “too risqué” users find xPeeps!

gonzo · 03-31-2006

Myspace sux. LONG LIVE XPEEPS!

TheEnforcer · 03-31-2006

Smart move on their part considering the bad press they were getting off some well publicized incidents.

Bishop · 03-31-2006

How much did you pay them Fusionx?

fusionx · 03-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishop

How much did you pay them Fusionx?

30 free minutes on http://www.moviemonster.com and 6 dozen krispy kremes..

oh wait - that wasn't MySpace - that was Gonzo...

Bishop · 03-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusionx

30 free minutes on http://www.moviemonster.com and 6 dozen krispy kremes..

oh wait - that wasn't MySpace - that was Gonzo...

He did disappear for 36 minutes earlier.. haha

fusionx · 03-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishop

He did disappear for 36 minutes earlier.. haha

1 minute per Krispy Kreme unit? Otherwise known as a KKU? Isn't that a measurement of energy displacement in Bratislava?

Bishop · 03-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusionx

1 minute per Krispy Kreme unit? Otherwise known as a KKU? Isn't that a measurement of energy displacement in Bratislava?

Oh my.. what is that new thing in your signature?

03-31-2006	#1
fusionx Members Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 165	MySpace dumps 200,000 profiles Original article: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/3f8a53d4-c0...0779e2340.html MySpace acts to calm teen safety fears By Joshua Chaffin and Aline van Duyn in New York Published: March 30 2006 20:26 \| Last updated: March 30 2006 20:26 MySpace.com, the fast-growing community website hugely popular with American teens, has removed 200,000 “objectionable” profiles from its site as it steps up efforts to calm fears about the safety of the network for young users. The site, which allows users to create their own profiles with details of their interests that can be viewed and linked to by other MySpace.com “friends”, was acquired by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp last year and its phenomenal growth has placed it at the centre of the media company’s internet strategy. Ross Levinsohn, head of News Corp’s internet division, said some of the material taken down contained “hate speech”. Some of it, he said, was “too risqué”. “It’s a problem that’s endemic to the internet – not just MySpace,” Mr Levinsohn said. “The site, in the last two months, I think has become safer.” With 66m users, and 250,000 new users signing up every day, MySpace has become one of the top internet destinations. Chernin shakes up media titan Click here Peter Chernin, president and chief operating officer of News Corp, told the Financial Times that, although he and Mr Murdoch were very optimistic about its prospects when they acquired it last year, MySpace had exceeded their expectations. “MySpace is more potent and powerful than even we knew,” Mr Chernin says. “And it is becoming a more integrated part of people’s lives.” However, as efforts grow to attract more advertisers to the site, News Corp is facing two challenges. Young users have to keep wanting to use the site, rather than switch to a “cooler” alternative. Also, advertisers have to feel confident their reputation will not be tainted by “inappropriate” content. Teachers and parents are concerned that, because information on MySpace is publicly available, it might put teenagers in contact with predatory adults. In terms of retaining its appeal, Mr Chernin said users had to keep feeling the site was theirs. “We don’t want to change the fundamental look and feel of the site,” he said. “We do not want users to have any sense that it is corporatised.”

03-31-2006	#2
Bishop Members Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 1,558	Re: MySpace dumps 200,000 profiles I hope the “too risqué” users find xPeeps! __________________ AEBN - Video On Demand ICQ - 33840775 xPeeps Profile http://xpeeps.com/member.php?u=84

03-31-2006	#3
gonzo Fat Fucking Nobody Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta,Ga. Posts: 17,795 Blog Entries: 11	Re: MySpace dumps 200,000 profiles Myspace sux. LONG LIVE XPEEPS! __________________ We are putting the bastards of this world on notice; greed and corruption will always be met with "a voice made of ink and rage." "Never try and be like anyone else" - Hunter S. Thompson "The truth is the truth no matter how you try and package a lie" - Shellee Hale

03-31-2006	#4
TheEnforcer Scored VIP to Anton's Piss Tank Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,781	Re: MySpace dumps 200,000 profiles Smart move on their part considering the bad press they were getting off some well publicized incidents.

03-31-2006	#5
Bishop Members Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 1,558	Re: MySpace dumps 200,000 profiles How much did you pay them Fusionx? __________________ AEBN - Video On Demand ICQ - 33840775 xPeeps Profile http://xpeeps.com/member.php?u=84

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