McGrath: Facebook, states agree on new safeguards

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: May 8, 2008 at 10:44 AM MDT

Story Updated: May 8, 2008 at 10:44 AM MDT

HELENA - Officials from several states say Facebook has agreed to implement more than 40 safeguards to protect younger users.

Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath 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 Thursday.

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.

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