MySpace Fighting New Spam Problem

MySpace is rethinking its approach to applications built by external developers after finding some programmers using the tools to send spam.

“Left unchecked, these apps could create a negative experience for everyone, making it a chore to check your inbox each morning,” MySpace President Tom Anderson explained in the company’s developers’ blog.

As a result, MySpace has put into place new rules that limit how external applications can be used. Anderson says the changes are designed only to eliminate “incentivizing” or otherwise duping users. He also says some of the more popular programs, including “games designed to give users points for spreading the game around,” may be banished altogether.