MySpace Bug Leaks Teen Data

[Brett_Tabke]

[theregister.co.uk...]

A security hole in the popular MySpace social networking site allowed users to view entries marked "private", a crucial protection for users aged under 16, according to weekend reports. Though the site is said to have fixed the problem, it was said by news reports to have been active for months. Nobody at MySpace was immediately available for comment.

[edited by: Brett_Tabke at 10:19 pm (utc) on Aug. 30, 2006]

[Iguana]

There's a problem with this story - the Atariboy quote is nothing to do with Profiles set to private. Users hiding comments and friends with css never, ever removed the data from the source HTML. If I look at a Private MySpace then I can't see Friends or blog entries or the About Me section in the source code.

The real story would be that a MySpace profile set to private (you can only do this if you claim to be under 16) can be cracked. The article says this happened but then ruins it with that stupid quote.

It looks like someone from an "Iternational Law Firm" doesn't really know MySpace or HTML - even if the underlying story is true.

<edit>Just checked a private profile</edit>

[edited by: Iguana at 9:13 pm (utc) on Aug. 30, 2006]

[Iguana]

Checking the orinal blog source this looks like extremely sloppy journalism. Atariboy just revals how to easily view 'hidden' comments. There is no evidence whatsoever that Private Profiles are cracked (and he doesn't claim that).

Just proves that WebmasterWorld policy on not linking to blogs is correct. Up until today I respected The Register.

[Brett_Tabke]

I should learn my lesson about linking to the register by now...

[Iguana]

Well, it is entertaining most of the time. I'll still read it despite this story.

I am getting worried that I'm becoming the WW enthusiast of MySpace...

[smells so good]

I am getting worried that I'm becoming the WW enthusiast of MySpace...

Don't worry. You are among friends :)