Facebook unsafe, says U.S. law chief

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The social networking site, which has more than a million users in London, has been subpoenaed by New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo.

It is alleged that undercover investigators were solicited for sex while posing as teenagers on the site.

They set up profiles as 12- to 14-year-olds and found the decoys were quickly contacted by other users seeking sex, Mr Cuomo said.

He also claimed Facebook bosses did not respond to written complaints on several occasions.

"My office is concerned that Facebook's promise of a safe website is not consistent with its performance in policing its site and responding to complaints," Mr Cuomo said.

"Parents have a right to know what their children will encounter on a website that is aggressively marketed as safe." No charges have been filed but Facebook has been ordered to release documents relating to the security promised to its 42m worldwide users and how it resolves complaints.

Facebook spokesman Brandee Barker said the concerns were being taken "very seriously". "As our service continues to grow, so does our responsibility to our users to empower them with the tools necessary to communicate efficiently and safely," he said.

The investigation comes amid reports that Microsoft is in talks to buy a stake in Facebook, in a deal that could value the networking site at more than £5bn.