Air Force takes down MySpace profile

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  The Air Force discontinued its user profile on the social networking Web site MySpace.com Sept. 19 after concerns that association with inappropriate content might damage the service's reputation.

With close to 98 million registered users, MySpace.com was thought to be an ideal venue for the Air Force to connect with potential recruits and promote awareness for its documentary-style ad campaign "Do Something Amazing." 

However, after the profile was launched Aug. 21, Air Force officials became concerned about "friends" being able to link their personal pages to the site, some of which were of questionable taste and content.

"The Air Force understands how valuable MySpace is in reaching young men and women, and the profile served its purpose in giving users the chance to preview the new 'Do Something Amazing' commercials," said Maj. Sean McKenna, Air Force Recruiting Service public affairs chief. "However, we weren't real comfortable with people being able to click off the profile through a 'friends' portal and viewing potentially lewd and lascivious content. We didn't want to be associated with any seedy elements."

As the third most popular Web site, MySpace reaches 49 percent of all Internet users between the ages of 18 to 24.

While users can no longer view the Air Force's MySpace profile, they can go to DoSomethingAmazing.com, which debuted Sept. 18. There they can view all of the new Air Force television commercials and download photos and videos.