US sanctions sees Live Messenger blocked in Syria

Microsoft has opted to turn off its Windows Live Messenger service in Syria and four other countries that are “subject to United States sanctions.”

Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea are all affected by the surprising move, with a company spokesperson clarifying to the media that: “Microsoft has discontinued providing Instant Messenger services in certain countries subject to United States sanctions. Details of these sanctions are available from the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control.”

According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) website, the US Department of Treasury enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against “targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States.”

Many are now questioning why Microsoft made such a controversial decision, when other top US technology firms like Yahoo! and Google continue to offer IM (Instant Messaging) services in the affected countries.

Upon investigation, itp.net found that residents in Syria are presently using the blocked service by changing the ‘country/region’ under the Home Location tab on their Live.com account. While the IM clients Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk remain open, residents are complaining that they are mysteriously unable to install Google’s Chrome browser.

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READERS' COMMENTS

US sanctions sees Live Messenger blocked in Syria
Posted by George on Thursday 28 May 2009 at 21:02 UAE time


Microsoft should not get involved in politiks.
This is a bad step and wrong decision from the decision makers of Microsoft.

stuipid law!
Posted by Obai, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 26 May 2009 at 15:04 UAE time


the syrians are much smarter than the entire microsoft and US. government....i've too many friends are using the services from syria ;)

This is nothing
Posted by walid al-yousef, latakia, Syria on Monday 25 May 2009 at 11:28 UAE time


What are they trying to do? no point of that. It's just for media to make syria look like one of the evil countries. But Syria it is not like that i invite every one to come to this beautiful country and check by hime/herself. don't listen to american media. God bless...

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