Family Online Safety Institute Welcomes New Member Microsoft

WASHINGTON - August 6, 2008 - The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) today announced Microsoft is joining the organization to help address online safety and privacy issues for children and families. Microsoft will also take a seat on the FOSI Board of Directors. As a leading technology company with extensive online safety and privacy resources and expertise, Microsoft's membership will play an important role in enhancing online safety for families.

"We are proud to welcome Microsoft to our organization and look forward to working together to help ensure a safer online experience for families everywhere," said Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI. "Microsoft is a committed leader in promoting online safety and will be a great asset to our efforts."

As part of its membership, Microsoft will participate in all FOSI roundtables, the FOSI annual conference on December 11, 2008 and help contribute to FOSI's mission for a safer Internet.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to family safety online, Microsoft is pleased to join FOSI," said Adrienne Hall, senior director of Trustworthy Computing at Microsoft. "Working with organizations such as FOSI is part of our holistic approach to helping keep people safe online, which also includes technology solutions and education for consumers."

Microsoft joins a high profile community of FOSI members: AOL, AT&T, Blue Coat Systems, BT Retail, Comcast, CompTIA, Crisp Thinking, Fox Interactive Media, France Telecom, Google, GSM Association, Loopt, Mpower Media, Ning, Privo, RuleSpace, Sentinel, Telmex, The Wireless Foundation, Verizon, Cisco and, Kingston Communications.