Internet privacy measure stalls in California senate

An Internet privacy proposal that would require social networking firms to remove personal information when requested has stalled in the state legislature May 27 amid vocal opposition from Facebook, Twitter, Google and other companies.

The state Senate deadlocked 16-16 on the legislation, which would also give parents the right to edit home addresses, phone numbers and other information out of their children's online postings. Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) said constituents had lobbied for the measure because of worries that criminals made ill use of personal information gleaned from social networking sites. Meanwhile, the tech companies in opposition have argued that the proposal restricts interstate commerce, violates free speech and is badly written.