From WhatPort80

MySpace is a social networking site launched at the end of 2003 which served as sort of a hybrid between 2 websites which were popular at the time, Friendster and LiveJournal.

Unlike Friendster, Facebook, LiveJournal, or any other social networking website, MySpace lets users define all aspects of their profile page. A typical profile page features a 300k bitmap background that makes all text on the page unreadable and is loaded with ActiveX controls to play 50mb music videos, flashing marquees and poor quality MP3s.

MySpace and the Law

In early 2005, MySpace became the first site to aid in arrest of spim. Spim is spam sent via instant message. A teenager sent millions of messages to MySpace accounts advertising mortgages and other services. He then attempted to blackmail Tom into an exclusive marketing deal, threatening that he would make his spamming techniques publicly available. MySpace contacted police and lured the spimmer into the clutches of the police under the pretence of a business meeting with Tom. This is probably the closest to IRL law that MySpace's Internet lawyers have ever gotten.

In July 2006, the United States House of Representatives voted 410 to 15 to ban MySpace from schools and public libraries, thus ensuring its future popularity.

See Also

• Facebook
• Twitter