MySpace to report sex offenders

Social networking website MySpace has agreed to provide police with information about convicted US sex offenders, removed from its service.

It follows criticism previously levelled at the site`s owner – News Corp – for refusing a request from eight US states to divulge information from profiles.

News Corp made the decision to disclose the information to all states after some of the eight states began legal action to demand disclosure.

The firm had previously said such action was required under privacy laws before it could release the information.

Richard Blumenthal, attorney general for Connecticut, told the Associated Press (AP) news agency his state had used a subpoena “that compels this information right away – within hours, not weeks, without delay – because it is vital to protecting children”.

“Many of these sex offenders may have violated their parole or probation by contacting or soliciting children on MySpace,” he added.