HAVANA, May 30, 2009
Cuba: We Want To IM Again
Havana Criticizes Microsoft For Blocking Its Messenger Service In Countries Under U.S. Ban
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(CBS/AP)
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Interactive Mammoth Microsoft A look at the software giant's leader, history and legal troubles.
The technology giant recently announced it was disabling the program's availability in Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea to come into compliance with a U.S. ban on transfer of licensed software to embargoed countries.
The move "is just the latest turn of the screw in the United States' technological blockade against the island," a technology writer said in an article published by state youth newspaper Juventud Rebelde.
He called the ban on transfer of technology "a truly harsh violation" of Cuba's rights.
Messenger has been used on the island for a decade without Microsoft interference.
Dharmesh Mehta, director of Windows Live Product Management at the Redmond, Washington-based company, said Microsoft "made the change late last year in connection with the last product release of Windows Live Messenger."
"This is not a new change, but has only recently received attention," he said.
He added that "Microsoft is one of several major Internet companies that have taken steps aimed at meeting their obligations to not do business with markets on the U.S. sanctions list."
Mehta said that "Microsoft supports efforts to ensure that the Internet remains a platform for open, diverse and unimpeded content and commerce," and that "governments should exercise restraint in regulating the Internet."
Internet communications service Skype currently works in Cuba, but the government evidently has periodically blocked other similar services in the past - sometimes including Messenger.
Last month, the Obama administration announced it was lifting some U.S. restrictions on telecommunications with Cuba in an effort toward easing the island's isolation. It is unclear if those changes will affect the ban on export of licensed software.
Cuba has been criticized for its own restrictions on Internet technology.
Although many islanders have access to e-mail through schools, workplaces and post offices, government restrictions keep most citizens from unfettered access to the Web. Officials say the island does not have enough bandwidth to allow universal access.
Cuba's Internet connection comes via satellite from faraway countries such as Italy and Canada, and Havana complains that the U.S. embargo prevents it from obtaining better service through underwater cable.
The government uses filters on the islandwide intranet to block pages that contain pornography or are considered a threat to national security, including some sites run by anti-communist exiles, the U.S. government's Radio Marti and popular Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez's "Generation Y."
Despite restrictions on U.S. licensed software, the Cuban government employs Windows operating systems and other Microsoft programs on many of its computers. But it is working toward replacing them with open-source programs.
During a media tour of Raul Cepero Bonilla technology high school in the capital, students and teachers this week touted the benefits of open-source software.
"Open software is comfortable, free, easy to modify and public," 15-year-old student Anette Camacho said.
Teacher Alain Tourino said Cuba should use only open software so it isn't bound to the rules and decisions of U.S. technology companies.
By Associated Press Writer Andrea Rodriguez; AP Technology Writer Jessica Mintz in Seattle contributed to this report.
© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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What this act does show, is that all IM communications are routed through a central server as apposed to being sent directly from person to person. The scary part here is that any or every IM conversation can be recorded and stored for years, and the conversations can easily be monitored.
But big deal, Cubans can use China's QQ instant messenger and ICQ will probably work as well. Honestly, Microsoft's chat program has such a small market share it is surprising that this event would make the news.
Corporations have no loyalty to country or citizen and if we continue to give them more monopolistic powers and rights over people, no matter what country they are from, is not only dangerous but will get out of hand as it already has.
HOW DARE ANYONE DEFEND MICROSOFT?
HOW DARE HE?
Americans would sell the Untied States for nothing and think nothing about it because so many people feel they have been wronged.
The Cuban people can use 3ed party instant messengers to access anyone, anywhere on MSN messenger, Yahoo messenger, ICQ, AIM, etc etc etc. Even Yahoo Messenger meshes with MSN. So, please become educated before you make comments and accusations about the American people selling the US for nothing, yada yada yada. Please.
OTOH, using any Micro$oft software exposed you to privacy invasion by MS itself far more than the government does. There are plenty of IM programs available. Cuba can just tell MS to take a long hike and use something sensible.
Yahoo Messenger is just as bad, and their chat rooms are useless due to foreign IP porn bots and booters. If our government wants to continue to punish the Cuban government for the missle mistake, then ok. But this move by Microsoft is nothing but an ad campaign. 3ed party messengers allow anyone anywhere to sign on and talk. No one needs MSN Messenger to chat with a messenger user.
- by omega39-2009 May 30, 2009 2:23 PM EDT
- Better they dismantle email servers serving Nigeria and spare the world their endless cons.
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