Yahoo Inc, owner of the most-used Internet search service, allows child pornography and other obscene material to be displayed on some of its Web sites, the American Family Association said.
Yahoo Clubs and GeoCities, two Yahoo services where users may post images and information for people with similar interests, include sites such as "Pic Club of Preteens" and "Rape Photos," the association said. The American Family Association, headed by the Reverend Donald Wildmon, is a religious advocacy group based in Tupelo, Mississippi.
The American Family Association has asked US Attorney General John Ashcroft to investigate Yahoo for allegedly violating federal child pornography and obscenity laws, said Patrick Trueman, an attorney for the association. Yahoo removed sexually explicit "adult" videos from its shopping sites in April after complaints from the association and other groups.
"They know this stuff is on there. It's been drawn to their attention." Sunnyvale, California-based Yahoo's policy is to review Club and GeoCities Web sites within 24 hours after receiving a complaint and to remove those sites that carry "objectionable" material, spokeswoman Mary Osaka said.
Under the terms of service for Yahoo Clubs and GeoCities, users agree not to post "obscene," "harmful" or "unlawful" material. Yahoo Clubs includes functions such as chat rooms and links to other Web sites for people with club-related interests.
RSS