Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Not the Only Firm Blocking IM Service To US Enemies

Posted by Soulskill on from the unfortunate-consistency dept.

ericatcw writes "It was reported last week that Microsoft had cut access to its Windows Live Messenger instant messaging service to citizens of five countries with whom the US has trade embargoes. Now, it turns out that Google and, apparently, AOL have taken similar actions. According to a lawyer quoted by Computerworld, even free, downloaded apps are viewed as 'exports' by the US government — meaning totally in-the-cloud services such as e-mail may escape the rules. Either way, there appear to be a number of ways determined citizens of Syria, Iran, and Cuba can get around the ban."

2 of 173 comments (clear)

  1. The west will blow by linumax · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    the day the majority become people like you who see even a complaint about business practices of a few companies as a sign of dissent and unpatriotic (maybe un-American) behavior and recommend complainer to be banished.

  2. Re:This does nothing. by MindlessAutomata · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Kuchinich. I can't think of any others besides those two.