The push, which also is backed by groups such as the ACLU and Americans for Tax Reform, is not expected to result in congressional action this year, organizers acknowledge. But the heavyweights behind the effort have drawn attention, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers said he would lead efforts to consider reform.

The law in question, known as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, was enacted in 1986 and extended restrictions on government wiretaps to data transmissions as well as phone calls. The act also regulates privacy in stored data, but those limits are not as stringent, particularly since the Patriot act eased restrictions on access by law enforcement.

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“I am pleased that MySpace has heeded our demand, now by subpoena, to provide information about convicted sex offenders and confirm steps to remove them from the site,” said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal in a statement. “There are at least 5,000 registered convicted sex offenders with MySpace profiles posing an immediate, urgent risk to children–potentially violating their parole and probation, and requiring more vigilant measures.”

Yow. Five thousand profiles. Frightening. But what makes the attorneys general think this information will be useful? Surely, convicted sex offenders wouldn’t be so dimwitted as to register on MySpace using their real names? Or would they? Remember, former congressman Mark Foley registered under his own name, and his emails got him in a heap of trouble, too.