Internet message board host Topix.com has reached an agreement with 34 states and territories to change its policies regarding what officials describe as "abusive and inappropriate" posts.
The agreement is the result of an initiative by the states to improve consumer protections on the website.
"We attorneys general are concerned about derogatory posts that are personal in nature, particularly those that related to minors," said Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. "As a parent and a public official, I am pleased that discussions with this company will result in several measures that will deter inappropriate activity on the Topix website."
Operational changes
For starters, Topix has agreed to eliminate the $19.99 fee for priority review. In the future no fees will be charged for review of abusive posts.
Topix also has agreed to eliminate the current "flagging" system for reporting abusive posts.
Previously, posts reported via this system were reviewed only if flagged by users at three different IP addresses, meaning many personal abusive posts were never reviewed.
According to the joint statement, Topix has also agreed:
• To continue to improve screening methods and technology to block posts that violate its Terms of Service.
• To use commercially reasonable effort to try to achieve a response time of three working days for responding to abusive post reports. This is consistent with the commitment made by MySpace and Facebook.
• To cooperate with law enforcement, and provide contact information for prompt response to urgent law enforcement requests as well as a "primer" containing instructions for subpoenas and search warrants.
"I appreciate the cooperation of Topix and look forward to continuing to work with the company to ensure that our citizens, particularly our kids, are not being harmed by harassing and abusive posts," Hood said.
Along with Mississippi, the attorneys general from the following states and territories have joined the initiative to address consumer protection concerns with Topix: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.
Topix.com, of Palo Alto, Calif., describes itself as a "top ten online newspaper destination" which encourages readers to post comments about news items or other matters of community interest.
