MySpace Sex Offender Profile Deletions Do Not Apply to Canada

OTTAWA — The measures MySpace has taken to delete the profiles of site members who are registered sex offenders cannot be extended to the Canadian MySpace market due to Canadian privacy laws, according to the CEO of the company contracted by MySpace to help find profiles posted by sex offenders.

“We can’t even work with any private companies or law-enforcement agencies because we simply can’t get hold of the data,” Sentinel Tech Holdings CEO John Cardillo said in an article on Canada.com. “It’s going to take a few daring members of Parliament to change this.”

In Canada, the public does not have access to the national sex offender registry, which Canadian law enforcement uses to aid them in investigations, and is not published publicly the way that similar registries in the U.S. are.

Canadian attorney Paul Kent-Snowsell told XBIZ that the registry is not publicly available in part due to concerns over backlash against offenders.

“Our government has determined that you cannot rehabilitate a sex offender if the public knows who they are, because of the NIMBY effect.” Kent-Snowsell said.

“NIMBY” is an abbreviation that often comes up in the context of zoning debates and business location disputes; it stands for “Not in My Back Yard.”

“The government is not going to make this information publicly available unless it is determined that the person presents a very high risk to the general population,” Kent-Snowsell said. “Generally, that information is going to be first given to the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), and then disseminated from there.”

Kent-Snowsell said that the registry itself, which is not divided into different classifications or levels of offenders, also contains DNA information about offenders, which is put in a DNA bank to assist with sex crime investigations.

In cases where a sex crime has taken place, a judge “may, but not must, make certain orders” before an offender is added to the sex offender registry, Kent-Snowsell said, adding that some offenses which are considered sex crimes in the U.S. would not even necessarily result in a listing in the Canadian sex offender registry.

Canada’s sex offender registry was put into effect in 2004. According to Canada.com, as of April 2006, the registry contained 12,000 names.

While MySpace’s attempt to purge sex offenders from its listings is a private and voluntary effort, many state legislatures across the country are seeking to pass laws that would either prohibit minors from posting profiles on social networking sites, or to require a parent’s consent before posting such a profile. Other measures have been drafted that would require age and identity verification systems be adopted by social networking sites — a requirement that the federal government also has tried to impose on adult sites through legislation like the Child Online Protection Act.

Kent-Snowsell said that such measures are unlikely to be adopted in Canada, given the country’s current privacy statutes and protocols.

“It’s fair to say that Canadian privacy laws and protections are stronger than those in the U.S.,” Kent-Snowsell said.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

JustFor.fans Launches BlueSky Autoposting Feature

JustFor.fans has launched a new BlueSky autoposting feature that shares JFF posts on the social media platform.

Pineapple Support Introduces 'Sacred Rage' Support Group for Performers, Creators

Pineapple Support will host a free online support group for performers and creators, designed for individuals struggling with intense emotions and the pain often hidden behind their anger.

Kansas Attorneys Seek Plaintiffs to Sue Adult Companies Over Age Verification

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement warning that a personal injury law firm in Kansas is soliciting plaintiffs to sue adult companies under the state's age verification law.

Ukrainian Parliament Registers Bill to Decriminalize Porn

Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, registered a bill today to decriminalize the creation and distribution of pornography.

Cherie DeVille Guests on 'Sex Tales' Podcast

2023 XBIZ Performer of the Year Cherie DeVille is the latest guest on the "Sex Tales" podcast, hosted by Melissa Stratton and Vanniall, streaming on the company’s “Camming Life” YouTube channel.

Niki Media Acquires BritSexCash

Production studio Niki Media BV has acquired affiliate program BritSexCash.

FSC Warns of Nude Photography Site Falsely Claiming Affiliation With Organization

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) published a statement Friday warning of a nude art photography website fraudulently claiming to be associated with the industry trade organization.

MojoHost Reaffirms Commitment to Adult Industry Amid Project 2025 Implications

In the wake of Tuesday’s election and concerns about Project 2025’s potential ramifications, MojoHost President Brad Mitchell has released a statement affirming its commitment to the adult industry.

Adult Web Hosting Service 'Midnight-Host' Launches

Midnight-Host, a new web hosting service specifically for adult websites, has launched.

ASN Lifestyle Magazine Joins Pineapple Support as Media Sponsor

ASN Lifestyle Magazine has joined the ranks of over 60 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support, partnering with the organization as a media sponsor.

Show More