Microsoft blocks Live Messenger access

Sat May 23, 2009 9:00 pm » by **7hidden7agenda7**

I found this slightly wierd... Seems like a random piece, of a puzzle no-one knows about yet... but that's just me..

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/16/20090523/tt ... 15470.html
>>>Microsoft blocks Live Messenger access
7 hours 23 mins ago
VNU Net Phil Muncaster
Microsoft has said it is shutting off access to its Windows Live Messenger instant messaging service for users living in countries embargoed by the United States, according to reports.
The countries affected by the ban are Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea, said a ZDnet.com report.
When trying to log in they will be met with an error message: â€œ810003c1: We are unable to sign you into the .NET Messenger Service. Reason: Microsoft has discontinued providing Instant Messenger services in certain countries subject to United States sanctions. Details of these sanctions are available from the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control.
According to ZDNet, a Microsoft spokesperson has confirmed the move, although as many of the sanctions imposed by the US date back nearly ten years, it is currently uncertain why Microsoft has decided to follow them now by banning the service.
Last month, there was widespread anger among the user community when Microsofts Windows Live and Hotmail services suffered an outage which meant that when users tried to log-in, they were told they didnt have an inbox.
The problem occurred because of a network issue that we encountered while doing routine maintenance, according to Microsoft. However, the news led to a flood of complaints from vnunet.com readers who had been unable to access their emails.
Many of them argued that the problem resolution service provided by Microsoft was substandard, with some saying it took much longer than the alleged two hours the outage occurred before they were back up and running.
Microsoft is not alone in feeling the wrath of its customers after problems with its webmail and IM services. Googles Gmail service was branded GFail by many after a major outage in February.<<<

Sat May 23, 2009 11:46 pm » by **Count_E.R.Measure**

Well this could actually mean that phase two of internet censorship has started.
We'll soon see what will be left...

:headscratch:

Sun May 24, 2009 12:22 am » by **Ghost32**

If you notice that these are all contries that are communist, and now because of legal reasons microsoft would be in big trouble if they provided any support or help to these communist countries.Thats all that is :alien:

Sun May 24, 2009 1:21 am » by **Bobbyinedmonton**

"Hi, my name's Bill Gates, and I'll be telling you who you can and cannot talk to.

Thanks for choosing Microsoft!"

Sun May 24, 2009 2:05 am » by **Crazynutsx**

WHY!!!!!

whats the point in this at all, it just a way to make the world more mad i swear

Sun May 24, 2009 12:09 pm » by **Kurious**

When will people understand it's a business & they can do what the want with their product, because it's free people think they have some sort of 'say/ownership' over MSN free product.

To be honest I'm glad he's blocked North Korea as a windows user those fuckers produce a tonne of the viruses that are on the internet & unfortunately your average MSN user knows fuck all about proper internet security & they receive a virus from a hacked hot mail account & the rest of us suffer as it travels the net at warp speeds, I can see the logic in restricting that countries access. How many people in Sudan do you MSN with anyway ? People are acting like 'yeah man they are oppressing those people taking away their live chat' well that doesn't wash as their are many other companies who provide free chat on-line programmes these poor enslaved people can use instead.

Bill Gates can do what the hell he wants with his free shit, why not he paid for it ? How come nobody kicks off about Apple & their whole Nazi-ish approach to music distribution ? You pay for that shit & they wont let you do what you wish with your paid for product which really gets up my nose.

I'm not wishing to start a Apple vs Microsoft fan boy thread here I'm just showing both sides of the coin with regards to how both companies handle their product both paid for & free just to give perspective. Just like to add I am not sleeping with either Bill Gates or Steve Jobs.

Never fails to amaze me just how people think they are entitled to whatever they want when it comes to the net. Yes Microsoft have done some fucked up things but before you feel all smug wrapped up in your Apple security blanket, bear in mind they are also half owned by Bill & his buddies these days.