MSN Messenger Access To Be Restricted

linuxwrangler writes "According to Infoworld, Microsoft has announced that as of October 15 some third-party software and older versions of MSN Messenger will no longer be able to log in to their Instant Messaging service. Microsoft cited 'security issues', but declined to offer specifics. The company sent an email alert to Messenger users, but users reported thinking the message was a hoax or virus after receiving over a dozen copies of the email."

Comments

security, eh?

[dema]

Microsoft cited 'security issues', but declined to offer specifics.

The "security issue" is, of course, the "leak" of vital advertisement money they would be getting (:

Formal agreements

[Phiz]

"We are very interested in interoperating with all third parties, there just needs to be a formal agreement,"

Requiring formal agreements could be a sly way to keep open source software out. How would an open source project go about making such an agreement?

Security is a bogus reason

[the-banker]

The implication that a network is more secure by only allowing MS developed software to access it is bunk. There is no logical reason why restricting clients and implementing security-through-obscurity will reduce anyone's exposure to network security problems.

Well, I guess it would reduce Microsoft's exposure since everyone using the network would have agreed to a Draconian EULA that stripped them of all their rights.

Be assured, this is not about security, it is about control.

Re:Wasn't it MS who was fighting to make AOL open

[archen]

This is pretty typical of Microsoft though, so it isn't really any surprise is it?

[1] Attempt to crack market with new software
[2] Bundle software with OS - make pain in ass to remove
[3] wait for large user base to build
[4] close off to other vendors (you are here)
[5] wait for competition to die off

[6?] China decides to make it's own impementation =P