MSN Shuts Down Chat Rooms to Shut Out Pedophiles

Jeff Hester

September 23, 2003

Microsoft announced plans to shut down the majority of the MSN chat rooms to stop pedophiles from preying on children. The Internet giant will shut down their chat rooms in 34 countries, and restrict them in others.

The remaining chat rooms will be moderated or operate on a subscription-only basis.

Microsoft hopes the move will not only thwart pedophiles, but also fight spam. Many companies "harvest" email addresses from chat rooms and use them to email spam.

Sky News reports that MSN will be shutting down their free, unmoderated chat services around the globe on October 14. A free, moderated service will be available in New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Canada and Japan. US chat rooms will become available on a subscription-only basis, requiring users to disclose their credit card info.

Related Links

• MSN Chatrooms Axed - Sky News


• MSN Shuts Down Its Chatrooms - BBC News


• Spammers, Pedophiles Force Microsoft to Quit Chat - Reuters


• MSN Shutters Most Chat Services, Citing Criminal Usage - Fox News
  
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