May 31, 08

NEWS / Social Networks Getting Serious About ID Verification

By NNA Staff
publications@nationalnotary.org
May 8, 2008


Social networking Web site MySpace and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) recently agreed to explore and develop secure age and identity verification technology along with better ways to quickly report online abuses — a move signaling a new national effort to improve online identity management.

In the agreement, MySpace acknowledged the important role of ID technology in social networking safety. The News Corp.-owned Web site agreed to create an Internet Safety Technical Task Force — which will include contractors and other social networking sites — to find and develop online identity authentication tools to protect users of all ages from predators who hide their identities.

The NAAG continues to advocate age and identity verification as vital tools to protect users, especially minors, who use social networking sites.

While many of the proposed measures revolve around updating ID management and abuse reporting technology, Notaries increasingly are being sought to identify users before they even begin using online services. Online dating Web site Luvoo.com — disturbed by the lack of personal accountability and true identity management online — calls upon Notaries to verify the identity of persons before they can use the site as a “verified” member.

Another option for the task force could include using Notaries as Trusted Enrollment Agents to issue secure digital certificates to online users, which could be used universally to prove ID before being granted access to a Web site.
Sources: http://www.nationalnotary.org/news/index.cfm?Text=newsNotary&newsID=1395

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