theglobe.com Fights Spam

Business Wire, June 24, 1998

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 1998--

Live Web Debate Invites Members to Voice Their Opinions; Survey to Track Viewpoints

theglobe.com today announced an aggressive anti-spamming campaign that seeks to educate consumers of their rights in fighting mass-mailing of unsolicited commercial e-mail.

The multi-pronged approach kicks off with a live chat session on Wednesday, July 1st at 6:00 PM (EDT) where members of theglobe.com will have the opportunity to submit their comments and suggestions on controlling spam in a commercially viable way on the Web.

An open letter from founders Todd Krizelman and Stephan Paternot to the over 1.6 million members at theglobe.com was also released today, stating the Company's position on Spam and its 'Commitment to the Responsible Use of Network Resources'.

"...Even in the best circumstances, spam affords marginal benefit to a few individuals at tremendous cost to the entire community," stated Paternot and Krizelman. "We believe that people with such little consideration for the welfare of others make for extremely poor digital neighbors."

The letter goes on to direct members on practical ways they can take action against spam and emphasizes the delicate balance inherent in conducting business on the Web: withholding editorial control over members' content while taking a stand where individuals have entered into 'spamvertising'.

"theglobe.com hates spam as much as you do," Krizelman and Paternot stated. "However, theglobe.com strongly believes in users' rights to say what they want, so long as their message and manner of communicating is legal, is not harmful (in a legally recognized way) and does not interfere with the operation of our service.... Of course, because we permit anyone to take advantage of our free services, you are always welcome to have your own say..."

The letter outlined several steps undertaken by theglobe.com to prevent network resources from being used to support spam.

theglobe.com will also post an ongoing survey in the help section of the site to periodically poll members' viewpoints on current legislation and efforts targeted against spam.

Based in New York, theglobe.com is the premiere online community that is defining lifestyle on the Web with over 1.6 million members. In the summer of 1997, the Company received a $20 million investment from Michael Egan, former owner of Alamo-Rent-A-Car. Other investors include David Horowitz, founder of MTV Networks, Bob Halperin, former CEO of Raychem and David Duffield, CEO of PeopleSoft. PC Magazine recognized theglobe.com as one of the top 100 Web sites of 1998. Founded by Cornell University graduates Todd Krizelman and Stephan Paternot in 1994, the site focuses on social dynamics; integrating Personal home Page Building Tools, Chat Rooms, E-Mail, Discussion Forums, Special Interest Groups and a Marketplace that includes retailers Levis, Dunkin Donuts, F.A.O. Schwartz and Disney.

    CONTACT: theglobe.com
              Esther Loewy
              212-886-0803
              esther@corp.theglobe.com