The Guardian: Rivals condemn Microsoft chatroom closure: Internet giant accused of moving users to more profitable service
Rival companies have accused Microsoft of cynical commercialism for pulling the plug on its internet chatrooms.The company posted messages on thousands of its chatrooms yesterday telling users that the services will be withdrawn on October 14. More than 1.2 million people a month use its UK chatrooms. MSN - the internet arm of Bill Gates' Microsoft empire - said it took the decision after a series of high-profile cases involving children being abused by adults they had met in...
The Economic Times:
MSN 'Nanny' sounds the death of chatrooms
LONDON: To the sound of congratulatory cheers -- and barrack-room chants of 'MS Nanny' -- Microsoft Network (MSN), one of the world's biggest Internet service providers, has announced the end of an era of free, unpoliced chatrooms. But there are fears the advertised 'global decision' will challenge the very concept of the worldwide Web, with its un-metered, untrammelled and borderless nature.In what it calls a move to protect...
The Independent: Microsoft closes chatrooms to curb paedophile menace
THE SOFTWARE giant Micro-soft declared war on internet paedophiles last night by announcing the closure of its thousands of UK-based chatrooms used by millions of people.It will also restrict access to chatroom systems around the world, allowing only identifiable, adult users living in the same country to use them. The decision is a significant precedent, the first time one of the biggest internet service providers has cut off an element of the World Wide Web in reaction to concerns over...
The Herald (United Kingdom): Chatrooms are haven for paedophiles;Computer firm moves to prot ect children
THEY are used by millions of children around the world every day - making them a perfect stalking ground for sexual predators.Internet chatrooms have been linked to a series of court cases around the world involving paedophiles who have lured unsuspecting children into dangerous situations. Last night, Microsoft announced it was taking drastic action in an attempt to protect children from potential harm. The world's biggest computer company said it was closing internet...