Social networking site Facebook has settled a text messaging suit that will make it easier for mobile users to block future messages that originate from its site.
The suit, filed by Lindsey Abrams of Patriot, Ind. claims that she started receiving text messages, some with explicit content, from the social networking site shortly after she got a new mobile number from Verizon Wireless. She had to pay 10 cents for each message, and according to her allegations, Facebook received a share of the fee. Abrams lawyers were hoping to make the case a class action lawsuit, claiming that thousands of unsolicited messages are being sent across the country to recycled numbers.
Though Facebook did not admit any wrongdoing, the company agreed to make it easier to block texts that may come from its site, and also said it will work more closely with wireless carriers to monitor lists of recycled numbers, hopefully reducing the number of unwanted text messages.
Facebook currently has 58 million users, 40 million of those added in past eight months. Members can send text messages to each other through their mobile phones and through the site.
As part of the settlement, Facebook also agreed to pay Abrams legal fees.