Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1) [Updated]

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1) [Updated]

andrew19ao — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:27:38 GMT

I completely understand why they may be blocking off these countries. But I still will never agree with blocking countries from using a product that people may have been using for years. I hope they at least had warning before they lost all of their contacts.

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1) [Updated]

atomic1fire — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:13:51 GMT

Its because its an American company choosing to follow American trade embargo's

Google was following china law when they entered the china market,

Microsoft is likely doing the same here, regardless if trade laws actually effect them.

Cuba has been embargoed for a long time, mostly due to human rights (I assume) a major reason for the immigration of Cubans in Florida.

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1) [Updated]

Edgar J. — Sun, 24 May 2009 13:37:12 GMT

Microsoft is controlled by the USa Goverment.

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1) [Updated]

SyberStorm — Sat, 23 May 2009 18:16:04 GMT

Russian KGB was fiercely fighting against proliferation of internet into Russia during perestroka. I don't know which part of the body they use when they make decisions but this one is so stupid that it is imposable to explain.

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1) [Updated]

CalumJR — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:19:28 GMT

@andrew19ao -

You have to understand the reasoning behind things before making such assumptions. If you don't understand why a company does something - it's really best you research the reasons as there normally is a perfectly valid reason.

I don't know why the Messenger team would cut off access to these countries, but I'm not interested in why, which is why I haven't tried to analyse possible reasons, However, an answer to your example of the fact they provide videos to certain countries and not others could be for a number of reasons - laws in the country, economic reasons etc. The reason why Hulu is currently only available to the United States is because of deals with certain TV companies. The reason why YouTube has taken off music videos for many countries is due to deals with record labels falling through etc.

So, as I say, there is normally a valid reason for everything even if it doesn't seem to make sense :)

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1)

brentgv — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:16:21 GMT

I can't believe Cuba is still in that list.

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1)

Bleak Morn — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:29:39 GMT

I spoke with someone in Syria. They said that they just use a 3rd party client and don't identify themselves as Syrian in their settings. No problem connecting. Petty government censorship FAIL.

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1)

Bleak Morn — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:23:42 GMT

@andrew19ao If the US embargoed Canada you'd have bigger problems than IM access.

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1)

andrew19ao — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:20:00 GMT

That is so stupid, almost as stupid as pointlessly making videos avaliable in certain countries on some websites. Luckily I am in Canada so it doesn't affect me otherwise I would be EXTREMELY MAD and never buy any Microsoft product.

re: Microsoft Shuts Off Windows Live Messenger IM For Users In Countries Embargoed By The US (Error 810003c1)

mrmckeb — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:26:51 GMT

Wow, that is REALLY unexpected.