AeA Applauds New York Governor Paterson for Signing
Groundbreaking Child Online Safety Legislation

Albany, NY (May 14, 2008) – This morning, Governor Paterson signed the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators (e-STOP) act into law, thus requiring convicted sex offenders to register their e-mail addresses and any names they use to identify themselves on social networking sites with the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services. This legislation, advanced by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, unanimously passed both houses of the Legislature with the support of the New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, and New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

“AeA applauds Governor Paterson for signing this landmark child safety legislation into law,” said Justin Wright, AeA’s Northeast Regional Policy Director who attended the signing ceremony. “E-STOP will provide law enforcement and industry officials with the tools necessary to remove convicted sexual predators from social networking sites so that all users can have a safe online experience.”

The new law authorizes the Division of Criminal Justice Services to release the offenders’ online information to an authorized internet entity. This information will enable such entities to prescreen and remove sex offenders from its services, and advise law enforcement other governmental entities of potential violations and other threats to public safety.

Wright continued, “AeA and its member companies care deeply about having a safe online environment for all users – especially children. We are proud to have been a part of this partnership between government and industry that came together to tackle this challenging issue.”

For more information on AeA’s state government affairs program, including online safety, please visit www.aeanet.org/sga.

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About AeA
AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 05/14/08.