Outcry over Bebo closure reports

Members of social-networking site Bebo have reacted with anger and disbelief to rumours that the site could be closed down.

Reports suggest that there will be a strategic review of Bebo's operations after which the site could close down if a buyer cannot be found.

"Altho [sic] im fed up wi bebo changin everythin i dont want it to be deleted cos ive met up wi close freinds nd family ive not seen or heard fae in ages nd they talk all the time so it would be annoyin if bebo shuts down," one member wrote.

"Please tell me your [sic] not going to close down bebo D: worked so hard on my groups && skins && what i dd all tht for nothing ? please dont i loooooove bebo!" another member said.

Though not among the top social networks in the US, Bebo is very popular in the UK, where it had 11 million members at its peak.

Indeed, back in the summer of 2007, 'bebo' was the seventh most popular search term in the UK, according to Hitwise.

It was bought by AOL in May 2008 for $850m (around 557m). However, membership numbers have since declined.

Although reports of the closure have not yet been confirmed by AOL, an internal email outlines the company's plans for the site.

"Bebo, unfortunately, is a business that has been declining and, as a result, would require significant investment in order to compete in the competitive social-networking space," an email to Bebo employees read.

Bebo has not yet responded to Web User's request for comment on the matter.

Are you a Bebo member? What do you think about the reports that the site could be shut down? Have your say in the Comments section below.