Calif. bill would boost online privacy for minors

The state Senate on Thursday approved a measure that would prohibit social networking sites from posting certain personal information about minors in California.

The bill would require the sites to remove the option allowing users to publicly post their home address or phone number if users say they are under 18. The measure passed 25-4 and now moves to the Assembly.

The bill's author, Democratic Sen. Ellen Corbett of San Leandro, says the legislation will increase protections against sexual predators and identity theft.

"Anyone with children, grandchildren or who are just concerned about a minor's well-being knows that it is all too possible for them to be victimized by information that they unknowingly allow to escape onto the Internet," Corbett said.

However, privacy advocates note that site operators can only act based on the information a user provides and cannot be sure of a user's true age.