CA Senate Rejects Social Network Privacy Bill

Sacramento - The California Senate has rejected a bill designed to increase privacy on social networking sites, amid objections from some of industry's biggest players.

Senate Bill 242 by Sen. Ellen Corbett would bar social networking websites from automatically revealing a user's address, phone number and similar information unless there is a clear warning they will do so. Users could opt to display the information if they wish.

The bill received just 16 of the 21 votes it needed to pass the Senate on Friday. Corbett, a Democrat from San Leandro, could bring her bill up again before next week's deadline.

She says her bill would be the nation's most far-reaching attempt to control social networking privacy features.

Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo, Skype and online matchmaking sites are among the companies opposed.