Instant Messaging Rivals Blast AOL
Microsoft, Tribal Voice, others complain to feds that AOL "inappropriately" blocks interaction.
George A. Chidi Jr., IDG News Service
The white paper is signed by several companies developing or marketing instant messaging services--including Microsoft and CMGI subsidiary Tribal Voice--and it charges AOL with "inappropriately [using] security and privacy concerns as justification for blocking open communication."
AOL has come under fire in recent months for blocking users from other providers of instant messaging services from exchanging messages with users of its AOL Instant Messenger service. AOL has cited a fear of compromising its users' security and privacy to justify its actions. (See "AOL And Microsoft Have a Spat Over Chat.")
Rivals Are Skeptical
But critics don't buy AOL's claims.
AOL "has failed to demonstrate how interoperability impedes either of these issues," says Matt Fleury, a spokesperson for Tribal Voice. He adds that AOL hasn't worked effectively with the Internet Engineering Task Force, a working group created to help build an open standard for instant message traffic. "AOL is not an active participant; it's participation has been nil," he says. "It has been starkly devoid of a timetable."
The vendors recently organized as FreeIM.org and urge the government to force AOL to open its instant messaging system to interact with others, especially in light of its pending merger with Time Warner. (See "Vendors Push for Unified Messaging.")
The white paper released on Friday responds to filings AOL made recently to the IETF and to the Federal Communications Commission about the company's policy on instant messaging. In June, the FCC asked AOL for information about its instant messaging operation. The Federal Trade Commission has also been looking at AOL's instant messaging practices. (See "FTC Probes AOL About Instant Messaging.")
Full Windows 7 coverage
The Best of PC World
Featured APC Accessories
-
APC Back-UPS ES
Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
- APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.
People who read this also read:
Best Prices on TVs
UN32B6000 32" LCD TVPrice: $1045.00
UN55B8000 55" LED TVPrice: $2593.00
VIERA TC-L32X1 32" LCD TVPrice: $377.39
VIERA TC-P50X1 50" Plasma TVPrice: $669.00
40RV525R 40" LCD TVPrice: $577.97
LN52B750 52" LCD TVPrice: $1789.95
- 15 Minutes to a Secure Business Get the Secure in 15 toolkit starting with the "15 Minutes Month-at-a-Glance" calendar. McAfee will send you additional tools and tricks to stay protected around the clock.
- A Buyer's Guide to Data Protection Implementing data protection products and processes can be daunting. Make the right decisions by exploring what is available and what makes sense for your organization. Use this simple guide to evaluate different vendor offerings.
Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage








