Microsoft has switched off access to Windows Live Messenger in Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea.The software giant announced the policy change in a blog post spotted by our friends at LiveSide.
If any users in these countries attempts to sign into Messenger they will receive the following message:
810003c1: We were unable to sign you in to the .NET Messenger Service.
Work arounds are already available, signing in with a 3rd party client or setting your location in your Windows Live account to any other region will allow you to sign in again.
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to Neowin that the company has discontinued Messenger services to certain countries due to United States sanctions.
Thanks, thanks... Microsoft...
I'm an Iranian and i was using your Messenger for a long time(4-5 years) and now i can't use it but there is no problem at all!
It help us become more independent in the future
I'm an Iranian and i was using your Messenger for a long time(4-5 years) and now i can't use it but there is no problem at all!
It help us become more independent in the future
Please, "thank" the US government.
I'm an Iranian and i was using your Messenger for a long time(4-5 years) and now i can't use it but there is no problem at all!
It help us become more independent in the future
I feel your pain. I thought that the internet supposed to be free information exchange medium. I hate to see politics go into this medium where it does not belong. It is unfair to punish countries citizens for something bad their politics is doing. My apology to you Mr warrior for unfair treatment. I hope you find a good messenger other than microsofts to speak to the world and just communicate with your fellow humans.
The internet IS a free information exchange medium. MSN/WLM isn't. Microsoft's messenger product is just that, a product. A product produced by a US company. By law, no company in the US may export goods to any sanctioned country on an embargo list.
No need to worry though. As usual with Microsoft there are plenty of ways around the "block".
No need to worry though. As usual with Microsoft there are plenty of ways around the "block".
The problem is, Microsoft services are part of the internet. The whole internet should be a free information exchange medium, and the US should have no control.
Publishing something on the internet should be considered just like that, you're not publishing it in the US, or any other "country".
You are publishing on the internet, not on the US.
If I'm chinese, i can create and publish a forbidden book on other country.
I should be able to also publish it on the internet.
That's why i am against geoblocking of content.
Publishing something on the internet should be considered just like that, you're not publishing it in the US, or any other "country".
You are publishing on the internet, not on the US.
If I'm chinese, i can create and publish a forbidden book on other country.
I should be able to also publish it on the internet.
That's why i am against geoblocking of content.
So you're admitting Messenger is a service which would fall under the embargo. Your second part says basically that you should ignore laws in other countries because it is legal in one country. If I'm following that correctly, that would mean if child porn is legal in at least one country it should be allowed on the internet. I'll have to disagree with that.
Why shouldn't a company be allowed to determine where their service is used?
Yes. Sure. If you didn't notice, those countries are also the countries less likely to have people rich enough to have PCs and Internet.
Didn't know people had to be rich to buy computers. I'm happy using a netbook. Its not like they're trying to play crysis. Funny, they slapped sanctions on cuba for being commies, but what about our "money daddies"--china? hypocrisy. Again, funny how they slapped Iran with sanctions while our "allied" arab kingdoms suppress their people, even more so than iran.
Anybody remember the picture of that Russian ATM running an unregistered version of windows? Classic.
wow...
Anybody remember the picture of that Russian ATM running an unregistered version of windows? Classic.
They created the embargo on Cuba as a result to the cuban missle crisis. When they pointed missles from russia at us we decided to avoid a nuclear war and embargo and attempt to quarantine them.
This level of ignorance simply amazes me.
Seems pretty accurate for Sudan, North Korea and Cuba though.
In any case, arguing whether it makes business sense is completely pointless, as this has nothing to do with business. It's law.
That is such an ignorant statement! If not for my already 20% warning.. I have a list of words to show you
What part are you disputing?
He said people in those countries are *less likely* to have PCs and internet access. Even ignoring Cuba, North Korea and the Sudan ... Syria and Iran: not exactly countries one associates with large internet populations and free expression.
He said people in those countries are *less likely* to have PCs and internet access. Even ignoring Cuba, North Korea and the Sudan ... Syria and Iran: not exactly countries one associates with large internet populations and free expression.
the part where he suggests being rich enough..? where do you get off on that?? my point being .. if you don't know something.. don't bring it up.. and if you are wondering if I know.. YES i do.. cause i grew up in that part of the world
What part of the world? That's what I'm asking. What part are you disputing?
I'm not "getting off" on suggesting anything.
The US does not control the internet.
Well no one does really.. thats where i really think that countries should not be allowed to block access to anything on the net.. just cause no one owns it.. its gives them no right.. but well. theres alot to it. but thats my stance.
First off no one can cutoff the internet of a sovereign County no matter how much they agree or disagree. Governments just do not have that much power. They can restrict access via IP Geographic Locations but that is all. A workaround is to get a good proxy to hide your IP address and take it from there.
If you read the article properly you would've seen that it depends on your account settings. If you have one of those countries set on your provile you won't be able to log on. If you just set any other country you will log on just fine. They are not blocking sign-ins from those countries, they are blocking sign-ins from people who have one of those countries set on their profile.
Read the United States export laws, you will understand.
oh noes!
You're not very sharp, are you?
I think he's quite sharp actually. Complaining at Microsoft is futile, as it's not their choice.
So you're saying that large companies are above the law? You're saying that if a large company doesn't agree with a law they should just ask the government for an exemption?
Come on Ledgem, do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds? The entire would would be up in arms if it was proven that corporations could choose which laws to follow and which not to.
Exactly. Hardly Microsoft's fault.
Sorry can't be bothered, there is more than 4 sentences.
(Yes, I counted and there is five.)
That sounds ... somewhat unlikely.
They may have PCs. They don't, however, have unfettered access to the internet.
You say exchange student: you mean someone went back to North Korea in return?? (I hope not!)
You say exchange student: you mean someone went back to North Korea in return?? (I hope not!)
Someone probably did. One of my friends went to Cuba to teach english too.
SK is a very different place to NK.
Titoist, going to NK is hugely different to going to Cuba. A lot of countries don't even really have much of an issue with Cuba.
I have friends in South Korea, not North.
But sanctioning the people is a good way to encourage those people to demand political change in their country.
I also rather doubt MS could dispute US law over the matter of Messenger chat. Not exactly the most important thing in the world
Oh don't be silly. US law - US company has to comply with US law, obviously
Of course workarounds exist - it's likely MS are only obligated to make "reasonable" steps to prevent access to these countries.
Besides, if you were MS, you'd go for the easiest/nicest option first, and see if you are asked to be stricter later.
"Involving themselves in politics"? Since when is complying with the law 'involving yourself in politics'?
I'll have to remember that next time I drive down the road while drunk. Officer, I just don't want to involve myself with politics, so I ignored the law.
I'll have to remember that next time I drive down the road while drunk. Officer, I just don't want to involve myself with politics, so I ignored the law.
Nazi Germany also had laws to be obeyed.
Oh come on, was that really appropriate? Are you suggesting having sanctions against these countries is like Nazi Germany?
Do you not realise how insulting that is to people who actually were affect by the Nazis?
Do you not realise how insulting that is to people who actually were affect by the Nazis?
Just as the Iraqis are being affected by American aggressors.
Again, that's insulting to those affected by Nazi Germany. Look it up some day.
The U.S. government acts like the Nazis and you are without arguments. Or, approves it...
I'm sorry, but I don't see many American "aggressors" driving into crowded public markets and blowing up tons of explosive in the middle killing dozens of innocent civilians, or American "aggressors" walking into Iraqi police stations and killing dozens of Police officers.
The American "aggressors" are not the ones affecting (killing) Iraqis. Open your eyes.
The American "aggressors" are not the ones affecting (killing) Iraqis. Open your eyes.
It kills them deep down inside though that Microsoft isn't giving them Live Messenger.
The American "aggressors" are not the ones affecting (killing) Iraqis. Open your eyes.
No they prefer to blast them from along way off instead...
Pretty much every country calls themselves proud and valiant. However, do you really think a US company should be allowed to essentially "do business" in North Korea?
But besides that politics sucks, I'm so sorry!! We are people like others around the world, not evils...
What are you trying to demonstrate huh?! Maybe keep weak people under more pressure and stress that they already have... So damn sorry!!
No rocket science in determining that.
But besides that politics sucks, I'm so sorry!! We are people like others around the world, not evils...
What are you trying to demonstrate huh?! Maybe keep weak people under more pressure and stress that they already have... So damn sorry!!
Weak people, in Iran? The USA sure doesn't think that... Before the 1970's Iran was one of the USA's best bud's... a very good ally
Last edited by sweetsam on 22 May 2009 - 16:35
if all they do is check your profile settings then your just a few clicks away from bypassing it
/sarcasm
Messenger is for communications, it isn't like Microsoft drive into Tehran with truckloads of AK47s and RPG Launchers. Placing an embargo on a messaging service helps nobody, and hinders a lot of people
That's the point of sanctions/an embargo.
The discussion should be focused on what these countries are doing to deserve and embargo. Microsoft is complying with American laws. Thank You Microsoft. Maybe you should worry a little less about a company that's trying to do the right thing and get a little more ****ed about the actions of the leadership of Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea...
lol
for all we know they were threatened with one, perhaps they just felt it was a risk no longer worth taking, a risk without compensation, who knows.
US laws are complete ****. Change has come at last!!
There are many alternate Standard Complaint Services that can be used and now is the time to get rid of those MS Services.
US laws are complete ****. Change has come at last!!
There are many alternate Standard Complaint Services that can be used and now is the time to get rid of those MS Services.
Firstly, MS does it's own promotion. Countries do not promote companies.
Secondly, assuming you meant "standards compliant", that has absolutely NO relation to Windows Live Messenger.
For MS it's legal nonsense. Complain about the US government's politics, not MS's compliance with US law.
They do rely a bit too much on Microsoft products (not much opensource software usage in that area).
I suggest people start using Jabber, irc, etc.. instead.
I could easily get around the barrier and use their service as if I was an American; I wouldn't.
To every Iranian, free software(GNU/Linux ) is the way to go and this is coming from someone who not long ago had a damn passion for MS.
Edit- To everyone saying MS is obeying the US export law: I can download their goddamn softwares off their own website, for instance IE or WMP.So this is moot point.
Last edited by Aquarian on 23 May 2009 - 18:35
Last edited by rm20010 on 24 May 2009 - 02:14
I fail to see what's funny
Can't you understand not everybody living under a particular religious/political system, is a follower of that system?
Assuming you can't, it may come as a surprise to you that I'm not a muslim nor religious, far from it.
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