Windows Live Messenger, Google Chat (along with Google Earth) and possibly AOL IM have all been banned from being downloaded in countries viewed as hostile to the US, such as Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea.
I have some mixed feelings on this... My first gut reaction is "good" Then I think about the people here who have family over there. I know I rely on IM services A LOT in my daily life to keep in touch with people I care about that live a bit too far. Heck.... even for some people that are around the corner.
Read the full story here, and comment away on your thoughts.
Will it keep the US safer? I can't complain one iota about them not having access to Google Earth... I DO feel a bit safer with that one being banned!
Yes, I would feel bad for the everyday good people that just want to talk to their families. Unfortunately, they are the ones that usually suffer for the sins of the evil ones. I think the U.S. needs to do what it needs to do in order to protect itself. I'm for this and AMEN to them not having access to Google Earth
Last time I checked the feds don't have control over internet access. If anything I guess the companies themselves made the call, which is their right, but I don't see what the big deal would be about them...especially the IMs
Wellington Florida
Married
Google earth yeah take that way - they don't need to surf for possible areas to cause issues at. The IMing I agree with you that would be hard if you had loved ones here. If they did this to Cuba I'm surprised I didn't hear about it on the local news. I am only 60 miles from Cuba and well lots of Cuban's in my area. I would hate to loose that connection with family if I were them. I guess they could find other IM's to use like myspace IM and such or find a chat room site like xat.
Bottom line safety first